Eight races have been set down for Newcastle on Friday where it is Newcastle Newmarket Day. The weather is fine, the track is soft (5) and the rail is out eight metres from the 1000m-400m; Out seven metres for the remainder.
Newcastle Newmarket Handicap 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Newcastle Newmarket Handicap
Race 1. (13:25) Australian Bloodstock Plate-c1 2340m
No idea what to do with this race. On firmer footing, I’m giving 3 Flash Panther (Bet Now: $6.00) another chance. Chris Waller trained three year old who hasn’t done a bad job in his short career to date, but the majority has come on testing ground. Lone run on dry ground came on debut and he was good late, so that, plus J Mac on, is enough for me.
I think 8 Chenin Blanc (Bet Now: $2.60) has had a lend of the riders who have steered her the past few starts. She has quirks, but think she has enough under the hood to take out a race like this, and she was good late last start over 2100m at Goulburn. Tommy will take no BS from her here.
10 Spinpix (Bet Now: $6.50) is the one with the most upside and progression. Done nothing in her opening two career outings, albeit start two she was 2/5 lame. Last start she raced at this track/distance and ran a much improved race. Chased strongly and actually, Chenin Blanc contested the race, went past Spinpix, but that horse came back to beat Chenin Blanc, so if you like the Snowden mare, have to like Spinpix.
Race 2. (14:00) New Zealand Bloodstock Mdn 1200m
This, as a whole, looks one very ordinary maiden. 5 Green Flash (Bet Now: $1.85) has the Waller/J Mac combo and a nice recent trial under the belt so all things being equal, he wins. No surprise he has been well supported in early betting given the lack of depth and thought he moved well in a recent Canterbury trial. Should be winning.
6 Immaculacy (Bet Now: $3.70) looks next best. Debuts for the Maher/Eustace camp off the back of a solid Randwick trial placing. Led, showed good early toe and though run down late, thought he moved well enough. Trials aren’t everything, but can’t believe he and Bullet Hero are so close in the market. Immaculacy trialled by far the better to my eye.
Think there is intent here with 7 Luminoso (Bet Now: $8.50) in the shape of the jockey booking, getting Tim Clark to ride. His best run in recent times was last run last prep when leading and kicking on strongly, just tiring late and grabbed near the peg. First up at Scone, he got back and just never got involved. Senior jock, can press forward and give a sight.
Race 3. (14:35) Sharp Electronics Group Mdn 1600m
Does look a race with three winning chances. I am with 7 Gateaux (Bet Now: $2.60). Pierro filly that debuted over 1300m at Canberra where she had to drag up the field to the tearaway leader and did a remarkable job to fight on like she did when a close up fourth in fast overall time. Should lead comfortably and prove hard to get past.
5 Stonehenge (Bet Now: $2.10) showed some positive form for the first time in her career last start over 1500m at Goulburn. Led and copped pressure in front, so was entitled to drop away, but beat off the pest outside, drew clear, and was only run down late by a horse who had a suck run out the back. Repeats that effort and she’ll go close.
Back to the mile I like for 1 Legend Has It (Bet Now: $3.90). He ran over 1800m on testing ground here last time out and loomed to win on the turn but I just don’t think he saw the trip out when fifth to Librarian. Blinkers on first time for this gelding and McEvoy is on. A win wouldn’t shock at all.
Race 4. (15:10) Simtrack Mdn Hcp 1400m
This looks a tricky race on paper so I’ll search for value and think that lies with 9 Kandos Tiger (Bet Now: $17.00). Has been freshened up, having not raced for nearly a month since resuming at Muswellbrook when wide no cover for the trip and lost ground on the turn, but balanced up and hit the line quite nicely I thought despite doing all the work in the run. He’ll do no work from the gate and yes, 20 starts without a win, but don’t need to have much on to get a decent return.
4 Vanilla Sky (Bet Now: $1.95) looks the one to beat on paper given she is on debut and faces a field that are either suspect or have had a number of chances. I’m just not sure what to make of her given she set the turf alight in winning her latest trial, running quick overall time, but that was on January 27. Why the break? Market will be fascinating.
8 Curioso (Bet Now: $13.00) can sneak a first four spot at odds. Had his first run for Tony Ball at the Taree meeting run at Scone. Sat on speed at big odds before taking the front and looking home for a few strides. Break between runs, his fitness just gave out late. He’ll put himself in the race and give himself every chance.
Race 5. (15:50) Kam-cool Refrig.posthaste-bm78 900m
5 Mr Polar (Bet Now: $2.60) looks the safe option. Talented four year old for Charlie Porter that showed brilliant sustained speed from the front to win at this track/distance last time, landing some decent bets are being well backed throughout the day. Should hold a forward spot from the inside gate and proving hard to get past.
Best version of 3 The Drake (Bet Now: $8.00) is capable. Resumes for Jenny Graham, having not raced since October 9 on Port Macquarie Cup Day in the feature sprint when down the track behind a proven city performer in Oxford Tycoon. Resumes without a trial, but stalks Mr Polar and will be strong at the end, having performed well his past two fresh runs, including at this track/distance.
6 Ballistic Moon (Bet Now: $7.50) is heading in the right direction for Gary Portelli and comes here as a last start winner at this track/distance when charging home from the back to wear them down and win well. But, it was a maiden, and the overall time was plain, so needs to improve, but no reason why she can’t.
Race 6. (16:30) Bella Group Serv. Beaumont Hcp 1400m
Looks a very tricky race on paper. I’m going for some value in the shape of a first starter, 9 Serenata (Bet Now: $21.00) for the in form Paul Perry stable. Scissor Kick filly having start one and has had two trials this prep to get ready. Bit sluggish in the first trial, but was on speed in the latest trial and responded okay when asked for an effort. On her home track in a thin race, she is worth a 1×3 ticket.
1 Tea Leaves (Bet Now: $1.65) looks the pick of the raced brigade. Not much went his way last start at Wyong when held up behind runners. Eventually got to clear air and charged late to just miss out on picking up The Bullring. Expecting a positive ride from Clark, likely leads. Hard to beat…but odds on is too short.
10 Chitabe (Bet Now: $12.00) has had early interest at odds and not surprised by that. She debuted over 1300m here in what was a genuinely run race. She came off the bit early but kept chasing and was a definite pass mark I thought behind Larkspur Run. Stable and same connections won this race last year with Montefilia, and Chitabe looks similar to that star filly at this time last year.
Race 7. (17:10) Newcastle Newmarket Hcp 1400m
I think 6 Asiago (Bet Now: $8.00) can only run well here. Was kept very safe in betting first up in the Millie Fox. Just think she was ridden a touch too warm to get on speed and tired late behind Subpoenaed. Better suited with a sit and clearly better with firmer footing, which is what she should get here, and she has shown she can rattle off a brilliant finale at this track.
8 Bottega (Bet Now: $3.70) is a quality animal for the Ryan/Alexiou camp that resumes. He teased to win a good race during the Spring but just couldn’t quite put it all together, but he did contest some strong races, including a Golden Eagle. Sprints well fresh and his trial behind Eduardo was very good.
Second up syndrome potentially on the cards with 2 Gem Song (Bet Now: $6.00), but his resumption was just too good to ignore. Loved the way he found the line in the Southern Cross behind Masked Crusader, his first run since the Golden Eagle in 2019. If he bounces out of that effort, he’s in the mix.
Race 8. (17:50) Novocastrian Electrical (bm64) 1200m
Looks a lovely race for 3 So Far Away (Bet Now: $3.70). Team Snowden trained filly that resumed at this track/distance and I think had she run straight, no doubt IMO she wins the race instead of a close up third to Much Much Better. Trialled well leading in and Blinkers on, Tommy on…I think on a tricky day, she’s the best on the card.
5 Never Second (Bet Now: $3.00) should be suited up to 1200m for Matty Vella. Resumed over 1100m at Wyong where she was nearer the inside and held up, but thought she was out in time to be dangerous. Just no match for a real nippy one in Barossa Rosa. Fitter and up in trip, she appeals.
7 I Say Hello (Bet Now: $5.00) is a big watch here. Kris Lees trained filly that hasn’t raced since her debut win back in March of 2020 when winning at this track/distance, beating a handy one in Wheelhouse. Why she has had the time off I do not know…but her latest trial, I thought she was a donkey out the back. But, stable finds J Mac to ride, and noteworthy there has been early support.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Eight Number 3 So Far Away
NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 5 Green Flash
LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 6 Asiago
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 2, 3, 5, 6
Leg Two: 1, 7, 9, 10
Leg Three: 1, 2, 3, 6, 8
Leg Four: 3
$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful
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