Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, April 12, 2025

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alcabeel has been good in both runs this campaign and looks ideally placed up in distance to break through. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Alcabeel is primed to break through at Newcastle. Picture: Bradley Photos

Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle and best bets for Dubbo and Queanbeyan on Saturday.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 6 No. 3: Alcabeel

Has been good in both runs back from a spell and looks ideally suited stepping up in trip.

NEXT BEST

Race 5 No. 4: Oakfield Saturn

Scored a smart win on debut and can go back-to-back.

VALUE BET

Race 8 No. 5: Star Impact

Lost all chance at the start first-up. Home track record is excellent and can add to it.

BEST EXOTIC

Quinella Race 4: 1, 5

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 4

Race 6: 3, 8

Race 7: 1, 6, 12, 14

Race 8: 4, 5, 7, 12

Keagan Latham looks a great chance in the Jockey Challenge. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Keagan Latham has a strong book of rides and looks tough to beat in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

DUBBO

BEST BET

Race 4 No. 1: Press Forward

Drops sharply in grade and can score a deserved win.

QUEANBEYAN

BEST BET

Race 3 No. 5: Spritzy Lass

Not a lot of luck last start. Nice win at only run last campaign. Can give this a shake.

INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE

RACE 1

Hampden was three-deep without cover when fifth at his Australian debut at Newcastle before a head second over 2000m at Hawkesbury. Held up on the turn when a nose second to Always Right at Newcastle last week. Up to 2100m and can break his maiden. Bluebird Bay was a handy fourth to Inferencia over 1500m at Newcastle first-up before returning there with a length third to Webejamin over 1800m. Looks like he will appreciate the extra trip. Always Right has claims on her last start win from Hampden.

Bet: Hampden to win

RACE 2

Damien is a two-year-old taking on three-year-olds. He was green in the straight on debut and probably cost himself victory when a short half head second to Kujenga at Wyong on Jan 11. Hasn’t been pushed in his two trials. Sheriff’s Star produced nice efforts to place in three of his last four starts including a close second at Muswellbrook on Mar 28 when coming from well back. Kundabung was sixth to Private Life on debut at Warwick Farm last May. Nice fourth in his latest Rosehill trial.

Bet: Damien to win

@daviesharry_ gets a win on the board in Australia, with KUJENGA taking out the first race at @WyongRaceClub!@ANeashamRacingpic.twitter.com/fmFoZkgz2U

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 11, 2025

RACE 3

Rose Of Dubai was a late scratching here on Feb 18. Sent back for more barrier practice. Settled back and closed strongly under a half when second to Infinite Echo here on Apr 2. Blue Willow is a half-sister to Anamoe on debut. Tracked the leader and worked home nicely to finish third in both her Randwick and Hawkesbury trials. Trounce is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Booker by I Am Invincible on debut. Kept under a hold behind runaway winner Triple Tempo in her Mar 3 Warwick Farm trial.

Bet: Rose Of Dubai each-way

RACE 4

Ivy Legend was able to be fully tested late when fourth to Kilonova on debut at Rosehill before settling last and closing well for second behind Alabama Fox at Kembla. Sisu Spirit was just beaten by French Ruler on debut over 1200m here last October before a seventh to Strong Trade at Warwick Farm. Resumes off a handy trial win at Hawkesbury after sitting wide. Tempranillo will take benefit from her debut fifth to Meridiana on the Kensington last month.

Bet: Ivy Legend to win

Oakfield Saturn salutes for trainer Damien Lane in the third at Gosford! 👏 pic.twitter.com/67PnT9QtJg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 27, 2025

RACE 5

Oakfield Saturn lived up to her excellent trial form with a debut win at Gosford over 1200m after pushing out from behind the leader on the bend and hitting the line strongly. By American Pharoah, she will appreciate the step up to 1500m. Eclair Encore was a handy fifth to Snitzanova in the Spring Stakes here to end last campaign. Resumed with a handy third behind Amreekiyah and Pinito over 1400m here three weeks ago. Will take improvement from the run. Trajectile was a winner over this track and distance 12 months ago. Returns from a long break.

Bet: Oakfield Saturn to win

RACE 6

Alcabeel was just pipped by Casanova over 1500m at Hawkesbury first-up before a length third to Rockbarton Angel over the same trip here. Up to 1850m suits and looks hard to beat. Webejamin was rewarded for her consistent form with a breakthrough win from Koning and Bluebird Bay in a Class 1 over this track and distance. Placed in seven of her previous 10 starts and will be prominent again. Magicon wasn’t tested when fifth to Prince Of Sorts at Wyong two starts back before a fourth to Monkhana at Hawkesbury.

Bet: Alcabeel to win

It's another iconic win for Iconic Treasure and @PrideRacing as the 5 year old takes out the last at Newcastle! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/bO6Jv7oWGn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 3, 2024

RACE 7

Iconic Treasure wasn’t beaten far when fifth to Yankee One at Canterbury first-up then pulled up lame when sixth to Tenderize at Warwick Farm. Just pipped by the talented Imperial Force at Wyong last start. Just Feelin’ Lucky kicked off her second campaign with a long head second to One Last Shot over 1300m at Hawkesbury before a four length win from Squeezebox at Kembla. Nice recent Rosehill trial. Sarrismo was a debut winner from Carnegie Hill at Hawkesbury before a handy third to Tuned last November.

Bet: Iconic Treasure each-way

RACE 8

Star Impact began awkwardly and got a long way back on a leaders track at Wyong first-up. Returns to her home track where she has finished top two in five of her six runs with two wins and a second at this trip. Any rain will increase her chances. Fiftyfivechevy followed a couple of handy runs with a strong closing win over the mile at Canberra last start. Under Siege is first-up in Australia off a closing Randwick trial win

Bet: Star Impact each-way