Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 28, 2025

Form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday.

Shayne O'Cass previews the Newcastle meeting on Saturday.

The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

NEWCASTLE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 1 No.3: KIKOIRA

Very promising Waller colt who is bound for much better things.

NEXT BEST

Race 3 No.5: OAKFIELD NEPTUNE

Bruce Mackenzie owned galloper who trials like he’ll go places.

VALUE BET

Race 4 No.4: ESCARGOES

Solid debut; all the trials before and after point to a handy horse.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1,2,4

Race 6: 2,4,7

Race 7: 4,5,6

Race 8: 2,4

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

KEAGAN LATHAM has an unassailable lead in his defence of the Provincial title

GUNDAGAI TIPS

BEST BET

Race 5 No.1: HAMAGUCHI

I Am Invincible/Royal Descent gelding who can keep progressing.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.5: DODGE THE DARK

Fast horse who should remain prominent from box two.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MAIDEN PLATE (1400m)

KIKOIRA (3) was a $650,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase by Pierata out of the Reisling Slipper Trial placegetter Vincere Volare. Trained by Chris Waller, like all the “K” horses of Messrs Morgan and Devine, this 3YO has the talent to take him far beyond provincial racing in time. INVISIBLE MAGIC (8) has placed behind three high quality horses in each of her three runs namely Hopper, Anamoe’s half-sister Blue Willow and Sister Daae (in town).

BET: KIKOIRA to win.

RACE 2: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (900m)

MISTY VEIL (11) was bred by Gerry Harvey and was passed at the Magic Millions with a $125,000 reserve. Fair enough too, you can’t take any less for a Wootton Bassett filly from such a prolific black-type family as hers. Ran last in her May 26 trial but went as well as all of those in front of her. NEWY (9) is a million times better than what he showed on debut on the Kensington track on June 11.

BET: MISTY VEIL to win.

RACE 3: PROVINCIAL 3YO&UP MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

OAKFIELD NEPTUNE (5), as his name suggests, is a Bruce Mackenzie-owned filly. Mr Mackenzie pretty much has an Oakfield for every planet in our solar system and so far, most of them have shown something. As for Oakfield Neptune, her latest trial really was out of this world impressive. Hard to miss, easy to like. KEINBAH’S GIFT (3) is a local filly with plenty of trial experience, her fifth and last one was her best one.

BET: OAKFIELD NEPTUNE to win.

RACE 4: 2YO HANDICAP (1300m)

ESCARGOES (4) is a Mulberry/Brad Widdup horse, they being the new Everest slot-holders just announced. This colt was sold for $280,000 at Easter, looks-wise he’s a real mix of his father Capitalist and dam-sire Sebring (both Slipper winners). This is a great pedigree. Warning up late over 1100m on debut at Gosford. Speaking of pedigrees. BARKING MAD (3) is by Wootton Bassett and the second foal of Invincibella. Triallng well. LOVING (1) is the only winner in the race.

BET: ESCARGOES to win, exacta 4 to beat 3.

RACE 5: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m)

INNCOURT (1) was $4.40 into $2.40 when he made his Australian debut over 1200m at Wyong on June 8. It was an absolutely brilliant ride by Ashley Morgan who got the timing precise. You could see straight away that he would be better on a bigger track and here we are at Newcastle with an extra 200m added on – that’s a plus too. CRIMSON MISS (4) came to Australia from NZ with an Ellerslie second on debut on December 12. Won by a nose at Kembla on May 31 at 1300m – 1400m is better.

BET: INNCOURT to win.

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1400m)

CROP DUSTER (2) is housed at Scone but has been to Newcastle nine times. No wonder he keeps coming back, he has won four times here and was second once. His record at the Newcastle 1400m is even better, three starts for two wins. Huge run at the midweeks last start. Ditto that last bit for HOW MUCH BETTER (4) who came from last to be beaten a length and a half by his stablemate on the Kensington track last time.

BET: CROP DUSTER to win, quinella 2,4, Daily Double 1st Leg 2, 2nd Leg 4.

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m)

PRINCESS CRUISER (4) was foaled on November 9, 2020, which hands the sad honour and distinction of being the very last foal born by the great Choisir. How appropriate then that she was bought at the HTBA Yearling sale by Paul Perry. Just one other breeding note, her grandam is the Golden Slipper winner, Calaway Gal. Good race mare and trialled like a bomb. SUPERHERO (6) is just so consistent and is getting so close to winning again.

BET: PRINCESS CRUISER to win, quinella 4,6, box trifecta 3, 4, 5, 6.

RACE 8: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1890m)

MAGICON (4) was foaled at Kooringal Stud at Wagga, is housed at Wyong with Tracey Bartley, but has a real affinity with Newcastle. It’s here that the son of Champagne Stakes/VRC Derby winner Prized Icon has raced five times for a win and a second. That win as it happens was over this same distance and he won very easily too. WHETU (2) is a fit and very consistent son of Dundeel. Can’t see him not running well in this line-up. SCHOLL DEEP (5) will likely be very prominent in the run. SKIING (9) and STYLEBENDER (10) have claims.

BET: MAGICON each-way.