Gary Harley – Herald – 19.01.22

Hawkesbury mare Tycoon Hallie is set to break through for a well deserved win in the 1500 metre Benchmark 64 Handicap at the Newcastle Jockey Clubs midweek meeting on the course proper on Wednesday. The four year old resumed from a break with an eye catching second, half a length from the winner over 1350 metre on the Beaumont track on Boxing Day.

She was slowly away and after settling second last, Tycoon Hallie unwound in the home straight to go down by half a length. The mare will appreciate the longer trip and she was a close third in her only start on this track in October.

Rosehill trained Mihocek heads back to Newcastle after a convincing last start Wyong win. The three year old had his only Newcastle start on December 4, when he was slow away and ran on strongly 1 ½ lengths from the winner.  The gelding raced much closer last start and after hitting the front in the Wyong straight he kept going to win convincingly.

Former Queensland jockey Matthew Palmer now based at Scone rode Mihocek at Wyong and he has the mount on Wednesday. Mihoceks stablemate Adulting will be at short odds to win the 1250 metre Maiden Plate. Trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou the mare has only had one start at Warwick Farm twelve months ago when unplaced. His recent trial form suggests the New Zealand bred 4 year old is ready to fire first up. Adulting has barrier one and Josh Parr has the mount.

Top jockey Tim Clark has been booked to ride Kris Lees’ mare Confessed in the 1300 metre Benchmark 68 Handicap and she will be hard to beat. The four year old stormed home from the tail of the field when beaten a length first up at Gosford on New Years Eve. She was an easy winner on this track in June and she was placed here in July. The mare has drawn nicely and she has won second up.

The first race is scheduled for 2.20pm and the last of seven at 5.50pm