Race-by-race preview and tips for Tuesday meeting at Newcastle
By Neil Evans
Track Heavy 8 and rail out 5m.
Race 1 - 1.10pm: PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1250m)
Resuming four-year-old 3. Jared can return with a bang behind two progressive trials. Finished last prep with two close-up efforts in handy maiden fields and has enough tactical speed to get across from a wider draw.
Racing returns to Newcastle on Tuesday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 8. Lady Ichikawa is the clear threat having not missed a place in four runs this prep, the latest two at this track when working to the line nicely. Another one first-up since autumn, 5. Epic Statement, returns at big odds off a provincial trial win; while 6. Frosty Jo third-up and freshened via a trial is right in the mix.
How to play it: Jared to win
Race 2 - 1.50pm: PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1250m)
Tricky maiden sprint, but settled on lightly raced mare 7. Rennata who resumes for only her third start. Was outclassed in two runs against deeper opposition last time, but reportedly worked well and was strong through the line in winning the second of two provincial trials.
Dangers: Plenty of those, headed by 14. Sleepy’s Girl, who hit the line OK just behind the placegetters on debut. At big odds, 2. I’m Done third-up off a five week freshening is a market watch; so too is 10. Bertus on debut behind two improving trials, and wearing blinkers.11. So You Ready is a nicely bred first starter by So You Think given two steady trials; 13. Justice Please resumes for the leading home stable off two easy trials; while 3. Jump In The Line is a shade over the odds second-up.
How to play it: Rennata to win
Race 3 - 2.25pm: MAIDEN PLATE (900m)
Exciting colt 5. Force Red resumes off a year-long break, and reloads in a weakened race after missing the abandoned Hawkesbury meeting last week. Showed more than enough in the Group 3 Breeders Plate last spring, and has been strong through the line in two trials, the latest parking off the speed and cruising home under a very tight hold.
Dangers: Big watch on both 6. Gattodance, by Exceedance, from the team Hawkes yard on debut behind two forward metro trials; and 14. Enhance who returns off two progressive trials for the Gerald Ryan-Sterling Alexiou stable. Another debutant 4. Calga Power from the home track Kris Lees’ stable has been given two quiet trials. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Force Red to win
Race 4 - 3.05pm: MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
Well bred 8. Firm Agreement stuck on well when resuming in a handy provincial field, and is suited by this trip. Also reloading after missing the washed out Hawkesbury card, and is well over the odds.
Dangers: 4. Le Chocolat is well suited getting to this distance third-up. 13. Viktor stuck on OK when leading last time, beating all but the winner in Super Maiden class. Keep safe 14. Ti Amo Tanto back from metropolitan company at her third start; 12. Stillbelievin’ by Castelvecchio, debuts in blinkers behind two quiet trials.
How to play it: Firm Agreement to win
Race 5 - 3.40pm: MIDWAY CLASS 1 HCP (1500m)
Underrated 5. Outlander can peak third-up here staying at the distance in what is now a moderate affair.
Dangers: 2. Master Riley is tracking OK fourth-up over 100m further; 6. Royal Veloute is looking for this longer journey 24 days between runs; while last start provincial maiden winner 7. Torie’s Rose is hard fit and can run into the money.
How to play it: Pleasure Artist to win
Race 6 - 4.20pm: BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1500m)
Improving mare 4. Be Real finds a suitable race and trip first-up since early winter. Won twice at the provincials last prep in a very consistent campaign stretched to BM 72 metro grade and fitted with two easy trials up to 1000m.
Dangers: Plenty of respect for 5. Magicon who has only missed a place once in five starts, winning two straight up to the mile last prep, and resumes off an easy 1250m trial. 3. Hellfire Express is trained on the track and has been finding the line okay. Include 8. Oh Golly Gosh fourth-up and improving 11. Sonic Tycoon second-up after doing his best work last in a CL3 Highway; in all exotic plays.
How to play it: Be Real to win
Race 7 - 4.55pm: FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1250m)
Capable mare 6. Miss Couver is primed to win again second-up over more ground via a quiet city trial and 25 days between runs. Produced a tough and gallant effort chasing hard and making up many lengths after blowing the start first-up at Wyong, and while there’s a bit more depth here, she will relish the long run home.
Dangers: Improving and lightly raced filly 10. Titanium Miss has early speed and is primed to peak third-up. Big watch on local mare 8. Ace’s Inn Bloom who has been freshened and bred to get further. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Miss Couver to win
Race 8 - 5.30pm: COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRE BENCHMARK 64 HCP (1250m)
Plenty of chances in the boys’ edition to close the meeting. Improving metro five-year-old 10. Star Legacy is suited at big odds dropping back in trip from the mile eight weeks between runs. Swept home from midfield to win at Kembla two starts back before again finishing off well in deeper grade here before the break. Will settle off the speed, and be charging home.
Dangers:Promising colt 13. Yoshinobu reloads 25 days after a tough and fresh on-speed win in a Super Maiden at Wyong. Honest home tracker 3. French Marine has been in the money all three runs this prep. Keep watch on lightly raced 8. Show County coming off a smart win fourth-up. Include both 6. Beetson and debut winner 7. The Deal in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Star Legacy to win and quinella 10 and 13
Best bets
R3 5. FORCE RED
R7 6. MISS COUVER
Best Value
R8 10. STAR LEGACY
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au