18/9/2026 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Newcastle, Newcastle Cup day

A bumper eight race card has been set down for Newcastle on Friday for Newcastle Cup Day. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

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Bludger of a race to kick the Carnival off but each way, I can speck 9 Wizard’s Star (Bet Now: $19.00). He ran over this trip on the Kenso last start and kept chasing from off speed in a pretty good effort in defeat behind Gentle Giant when third. Think that form reads well and this race is quite thin.

5 Think Itz You (Bet Now: $3.10) is third up from a spell and should just about be at peak fitness. Latest run was at the midweeks at Warwick Farm over the mile when off speed and seemingly had his chance but whacked late behind Flying From Above. Hard fit and rising in trip, he commands respect.

3 Sonic Bender (Bet Now: $6.50) steps up to 1850m after resuming over 1400m where he got back to near last in the run and failed to come on. Tick over trial was pretty good and maps to do no work. I am not dismissing him.

1 Federalist (Bet Now: $1.40) has had numerous chances to break his maiden but this is the easiest race he has contested throughout his career. I think he should be much shorter in betting. Trial work has been super and provided he gets room to wind up, he’s just better than these.

2 Nomadic (Bet Now: $7.50) was a total forgive from first up at Warwick Farm, sitting wide no cover throughout and the hard run told on him late in the piece. Tricky draw but with a better run in transit, he’s a threat.

7 Lafite (Bet Now: $7.50) is an interesting runner. He returns to racing as a gelding for Chris Waller, with his two runs in the Autumn being just fair. Gelded, trialled well for the return, I say watch betting and see what it does.

3 Satin Serenade (Bet Now: $2.80) should be favourite IMO. Chris Waller trained filly that ran second first up at Warwick Farm and while a beaten favourite, she bumped into Queen’s Gamble, who is heading to the Tea Rose as a serious contender, so the form reads well and the tick over trial was strong.

6 Waiheke Rose (Bet Now: $1.80) is in the mix for GaiBott after a debut second over this trip at Warwick Farm, sitting off speed and tried hard but just found one better in Sing Your Song. Better for the run, likely settles on speed and takes running down.

2 Made In Italy (Bet Now: $8.50) should appreciate getting to 1400m after resuming over 1250m at Canterbury, beaten for early speed but I liked the way she kept chasing and finding the line in defeat. Maps to do no work, a knockout hope for sure.

4 Sea Admiral (Bet Now: $14.00) is a great each way gamble here IMO. He resumed over 1000m at Warwick Farm where he got too far back after a tardy start but I liked the way he finished his race off in defeat. He’ll park off a brutal speed here and be strong late, hopefully can get clear air and launch late.

3 Melanite (Bet Now: $9.00) comes back to 900m after racing over 1100m at Canterbury when just off speed and loomed to win when presented but just found one better in Ruination. Back to 900m is fine, he does command respect.

7 Who Goes There (Bet Now: $31.00) was an eye catcher at this track/distance last start, getting a fair way out of his ground but really liked the way he finished his race off when second. He’ll likely sit back again but be stronger than most a the end.

I had 2 Churchill’s Choice (Bet Now: $6.00) marked a clear favourite before markets came out so $7.50+ seems a big price for me given she is the class of the field. Thought her trials leading in have been strong, there’s good speed and I can see her sitting back and launching over the top.

1 Infancy (Bet Now: $9.50) is THE class of the field and commands respect on that factor alone. Just not entirely sold on her at 1400m but she brings the A1 form and has home track advantage, plus can motor late.

8 Just Glamourous (Bet Now: $16.00) ran a close up third in the Mona Lisa at Wyong. She had the suck run in behind and was held up at times but overall, I thought she had her chance. Racing well though and should be around the mark.

6 Aethelwulf (Bet Now: $1.22) should be winning. He is a very progressive stayer for Matty Smith that has been stunning in recent starts/wins and looks every bit a stayer of the future. This is clearly a significant class/depth rise but confident he’ll handle it.

1 Changingoftheguard (Bet Now: $13.00) is an improver at odds. He resumed in the Premiers Cup a few weeks back where he was tardy away, settled off speed and failed to come on behind Boniface. He has class on his side and can run a much improved race.

7 Amplify (Bet Now: $23.00) comes back to 2300m after racing over 2400m in the City Tatts Cup at Randwick a couple of weeks ago. She was outclassed on paper but I thought ran a super race in defeat behind So You Are. She is one for exotics.

12 Mr Miller (Bet Now: $1.80) looks a really nice horse for Chris Waller. He ran three weeks ago at Rosehill where he gave his rivals a start and a proper beating in an impressive display, albeit in 78 grade. Big rise in grade/depth but he’s very promising and confident he can more than hold his own.

9 I’mintowin (Bet Now: $6.50) lands on speed and should take running down. He resumed three weeks ago at Rosehill when on speed and tried hard in the straight when a game second to Althoff. Good racing style, he’ll take running down.

1 Tavi Time (Bet Now: $15.00) is a Kris Lees trained gelding that resumes. This guy is first up, having not raced since May 30 at Eagle Farm when down the track in the Lord Mayors Cup. Likely has eyes on races later in the Spring but has trialled well and has home track advantage.

10 In Society (Bet Now: $31.00) each way in the last. This mare is probably here as a stable companion for Golden Cross, who runs in the Cameron, but she does have ability in her own right. Three back she did win a Saturday metro race at Doomben before a couple of efforts at Eagle Farm where each time she has got back and run on without threatening. Maps to bludge on the fence and be effective late.

5 Red Rags To Bulls (Bet Now: $3.10) gave them a start and a beating to win two back over the mile here. She then ran three weeks ago at Rosehill and was too far back in an on speed dominated race behind Transcend. Likely will spot them a start but should be strong at the end.

3 Hollywood Gold (Bet Now: $11.00) is third up from a spell and should be at peak fitness. He comes through the Moree Cup when keen off the speed and just tired late in the piece. His best is good enough so I am not dismissing.

BEST BET: Race Five Number 2 Churchill’s Choice

NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 1 Federalist

LONG SHOT: Race Eight Number 10 In Society

Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):

Leg One: 1, 2

Leg Two: 6

Leg Three: 12

Leg Four: 1, 3, 5, 8, 10

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