Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, April 26, 2025

Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton looks set for a big day with several leading chances including the ultra-consistent Hell To Pay to can resume with a win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton (pictured) looks set for a big day at Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

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

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 6 No. 2: Hell To Pay

Very consistent gelding and can return with a win.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No. 1: Kikoira

Returns from a lengthy break as a gelding. Trials have been good.

VALUE BET

Race 5 No. 4: Bohemian Art

Three-year-old filly on debut who has trialled very well.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 3, 4

Race 6: 2, 3, 5

Race 7: 2, 15

Race 8: 4, 8, 13

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Keagan Latham has a strong book of rides and will be popular in the TAB Jockey Challenge.

Keagan Latham can win the TAB Jockey Challenge at Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

GRAFTON

BEST BET

Race 7 No. 11: Monte Tiana

Back from a let-up after a nice Super Maiden win.

INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE

RACE 1: TOOHEYS MIDWAY MDN 900m

SOSUEME (4) led on debut at Hawkesbury when runner-up to Gandalf with a big gap back to third. Nothing went second-up when four and five-wide throughout and pulling up lame when eighth to Matima at Hawkesbury. Drawn well and can bounce back. NAMI’S JEWEL (7) was run down late by Midnight Gambler when resuming here before a head second to Power Smash at Goulburn. Will be prominent again. HARLEX (3) has ben very good winning both trials this time in.

Bet: SOSUEME each-way

RACE 2: JETS IN BUSINESS MDN PLATE 1250m

BEADMAN (4) settled back three-wide with cover and was widest on the bend but closed off well when a long head second to stablemate Akaysha on debut at Kembla. Will be better for the run, has drawn well and winkers go on. SWAG (9) sat midfield and was doing his best over the final 100m when second to Rainbow Glow over 1000m on debut at Canberra on Dec 27. Should appreciate the 1250m for his return. VIVA MAURICIO (10) is a first starter by Maurice. Went to the line under a hold in both trials.

Bet: BEADMAN to win

RACE 3: BERNIE CALLINAN 80YR CLASSIC SUPER MDN 1500m

BUCKENARA (1) improved in each of his three runs in his first campaign starting with a fifth over 1300m and ending with a third to Altair I Am at Randwick over 1600m. Was held up until near the 200m then closed well when fourth in his Apr 14 Randwick trial. ELIVINA (7) defied her $41 starting price when a two length third to Tact on debut at Kembla. Will make her presence felt again. TAWFIQ TOM (4) resumed with a third behind Kobaytera over 1210m at Port Macquarie followed by a half-length second there to Foo Fighter.

Bet: BUCKENARA to win

RACE 4: SLATTERY AUCTIONS MDN HCP 1300m

KIKOIRA (1) was given a long break and was gelded after his debut sixth to Axius at Canterbury last August. Closed strongly under a hold when fourth in his first Warwick Farm trial the given a little shake when in restricted room in his second trial. DUNDEEL FLYER (9) trialled nicely when second to Telling at Rosehill. Started favourite on debut at Goulburn when third to Deep Emotion after racing outside the leader. Will be improved by the run. NAVY BUOY (3) was resuming when he lead and finished second in that same race.

Bet: KIKOIRA to win

RACE 5: DAILEY FAMILY FUNERALS PROVINCIAL MDN HCP 1300m

BOHEMIAN ART (4) is a debutant by Deep Field from the family of Redoute’s Choice. Closed smartly for a head second to Impressionism in their 1000m Beaumont trial. Expect a bold showing first-up. IMPRESSIONISM (1) kicked up to lead before finishing fourth on the tricky Quirindi track on debut before a second at Armidale and a second at Tamworth in his first campaign. Has had three trials back and led all-the-way in is latest on the Beaumont. TILLSTROM (3) is first starter by Vancouver. Was a head second to Sisu Spirit in his Mar 25 Hawkesbury trial.

Bet: BOHEMIAN ART each-way

RACE 6: PROFESSOR PLUMB HCP (C1) 1300m

HELL TO PAY (2) has only missed a place once in seven starts when tenth behind Bosustow in the Magic Millions Guineas in January. Placed each of his three runs here. Closed strongly for fourth in his Randwick trial. TRUE AMOR (5) was good winning his maiden at Kembla last November. Unplaced his other four starts but ran some nice races in them. Won both recent trials including one from Headwall at Randwick. BRUTAL BOWLER (3) drops in grade from his sixth to Mogul Monarch on the Kensington.

Bet: HELL TO PAY to win

RACE 7: PETER EVANS SOLICITORS (BM64) 1400m

STRAWBERRY IMPACT (7) settled last before coming with a booming run between horses to score by over three lengths and was under a grip at Kembla last start. Can make it back-to-back wins. YABBY PUMP (2) returned from a lengthy break win at Hawkesbury before jumping sharply in class when last at Eagle Farm. Back to his right grade. OWEN COUNTY (1) ended last campaign with back-to-back wins at Gosford and Hawkesbury. Resumes for a new stable and trials have good.

Bet: STRAWBERRY IMPACT to win

RACE 8: TAB APP (BM64) 1870m

KENMARE BAY (4) is knocking on the door after placing second at all three runs this campaign. Was a long head off Oakfield Prince at Wyong two starts back before finish a long neck behind Tenniel over 1890m here. ECLAIR AWESOME (13) is shooting for a hat-trick after nice wins at Albury over 1400m and Gosford over 1600m. Steps up to 1870m for the first time. ECLAIR ENCORE (8) returned with a handy third to Amreekiyah over 1400m here before a second to Bella Kathleen.

Bet: KENMARE BAY to win