Aaron Bullock, trailing leader Tyler Schiller by three wins in the NSW Jockeys Premiership has an outstanding book of rides at the Newcastle Jockey Clubs mammoth nine race meeting on Saturday. Bullock has five mounts all with winning prospects at the meeting, and in race order they are Impunity (Race 1), Insider Trader (Race 2), The New Sinatra (Race 4), Remember Jack (Race 8) and Allhallowtide (Race 9).
Impunity, runner up in his past two starts will be favourite to win the opening event the Lambourne Consulting Midway Maiden Handicap (1850m). The son of Dundeel carries the famous Arrowfield colours and his past two starts, both at Newcastle, have been full of merit. He was runner up to Chris Waller’s promising stayer Ahuriri in a 1890m Maiden here on February 17 and last start on April 3 Impunity came from well back at the top of the straight to miss by less than a length again on this track.
Insider Trader, winner of two races at Newcastle and three over 2300m is one of a handful of chances in the Verve Partners Benchmark 64 Handicap (2300m). The seven-year-old with Bullock in the saddle won over this trip on this track two starts ago. I fancy Olympic Theatre in the race. Olympic Theatre is unbeaten in two starts over 2300m and a winner at Newcastle.
John O’Shea has booked Bullock for the consistent placegetter The New Sinatra in the QMF Construction Maiden Plate (1200m). The three-year-old has been placed in all three starts at Gosford, Newcastle, and Kembla. He is an on speed galloper in a winnable race.
The talented but luckless Remember Jack must lump 60.5kgs in the Osbornlaw Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m). From eight starts the gelding has recorded three wins and two seconds, however, he has had no luck in his two starts this preparation. He has a trait of sweating and being excitable prior to his races but he is very smart. First up from a spell at Randwick on March 2 in a 1000m Highway he drew wide and settled four wide with no cover and was second last at the 400m. He made up many lengths to be beaten 3.6 lengths. Last start at Scone his performance was outstanding, again over 1000m. Remember Jack was slowly away and amongst the back markers to the home turn before storming home to miss by half a length. He’s crying out for this trip and the long straight, and Bullock has won three races on him.
Allhallowtide, the leading jockey’s final mount in the Lambourne Partners Merewether Mile Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) has raced well at Newcastle in the past and he has a chance in an open race.
The track is currently rated a Good 4 for what is a cracking Provincial meeting.