Race 1 – Red Funnel Ladies Day Cup- Benchmark 64 Handicap 2300m
Continuation deserves to break through after two Warwick Farm and Gosford placings this prep. He came around the field from last when beaten three quarters of a length at Gosford last start.
A son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente, the tough 2300 won’t be a problem.
Beyond Desire has solid Northern Rivers form and Yurralla Boy races well on this track.
Selections:
1- Continuation
2- Beyond Desire
5- Yurralla Boy
Race 2 – Richard Crookes Constructions F&M Maiden Plate 1250m
Mashrabiya was a long-odds on favourite when beaten a length on debut on Wyong Cup Day two weeks ago she never looked comfortable on the tight track at Wyong and she will appreciate the wide open spaces at Newcastle. This is not as strong a race.
Kiss And Tell has been placed in seven of her eleven starts and she was only beaten a length by Saigon on this track in June.
Artic Thunder is on debut after two recent trials.
Selections:
7- Mashrabiya
2- Kiss And Tell
6- Artic Thunder
Race 3- Avid PM Maiden Plate 900m
Zorocat resumes here after a five length trial win at Wyong last week. She has terrific form for this race. The filly was beaten two lengths by the boom gelding The Bopper in the Tamworth Romantic Dream last start in April.
Jaytees has been placed in seven of nine starts and he has speed to burn.
Lessing has a place chance
Selections:
9- Zorocat
2- Jaytees
7- Lessing
Race 4 – TAB- Long May We Play Benchmark 64 Handicap 900m
Pearl Roan is in career best form and is a short course specialist. She formerly had a habit of missing the start, but this prep she has come out running. The mare bolted in first up at Muswellbrook on August 2 and last start she was cut down on the post at Scone.
Pearl Roan has drawn nicely and she will give them something to chase.
Rifles is a fast horse and was an easy winner in his only start here in August.
Sacred Sword chased Rifles home last start at Newcastle.
Selections:
3- Pearl Roan
1- Rifles
8- Sacred Sword
Race 5- Expedo 4YO & Up Benchmark 64 Handicap 1600m
High Court has plenty of weight but he has barrier one and he has not been out of a place in his past five starts. He races on the speed and his best form is on good rating tracks.
Hit the High Note has had a change of stable and she wasn’t far away on this track on September 1.
Nitride can improve in this field.
Selections:
1- High Court
7- Hit The High Note
5- Nitride
Race 6 – Hungerford Hill CG&E Maiden Plate 1250m
El Buena finished down the track first up at Wyong on August 30 but if he produces his form of earlier this year, he can win this. He was beaten 1½ lengths by Macroura and Wild Ruler on the Kensington track in May.
Kermanding has been on the placegetters heels in both starts in May and he’s had a recent trial.
One Star Shining was placed in a strong Scone Maiden on debut three weeks ago.
Selections:
7- El Buena
10- Kermanding
13- One Star Shining
Race 7 – Reward Hospitality Benchmark 64 Handicap 1200m
Absolute Legend led all the way to win a Maiden here on August 22. He was runner up at Gosford in his only other start in July. He is well placed with a two-kilogram claim and barrier one.
Kinloch has a terrible barrier but he is promising and the long straight suits.
Elizabeel is talented and in good form nut has a horror draw.
Selections:
7- Absolute Legend
13- Kinloch
14- Elizabeel
Race 8 – New Zealand Bloodstock Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap 1400m
Chanting was narrowly beaten in a stronger race first up on Wyong Cup day two weeks ago. She is lightly raced but has a good record and has drawn okay.
Holy Reign loves this track and he had no luck last start.
Tim’s Principal also races well here and he was narrowly beaten at Rosehill last start.
Selections:
6- Chanting
4- Holy Reign
3- Tim’s Principal