![](https://www.newcastleracecourse.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NJC_03_12_22-96-1130x650.jpg)
Race 1 – Horsepower Feeds and Supplements Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap 1890m
California Grass has won two races both on Soft 6 tracks and if there is give in the track, she is the one to beat. The mare won a Class 1 2300m at Newcastle in May and a Class 1 2100m at Wyong in June. She finished down the track first up at Goulburn recently over 1300m, but this trip is more suitable.
Zizette was narrowly beaten on this track last start while Mydeel despite his big weight has a huge drop in class.
Selections: 3- California Grass 7- Zizette 1- Mydeel
Race 2 – Greenway Turf Supplies Maiden Plate 1890m
La Sagrada put the writing on the wall when narrowly beaten second up at Goulburn recently. She was run down near the post on this track in May, and she has been placed in both Newcastle starts. The mare is comfortable on wet or dry tracks.
Icebreaker has drawn adversely but is racing okay and Gunslinger can improve.
Selections: 6- La Sagrada 10- Icebreaker 9- Gunslinger
Race 3 – Community Race Day This Sunday F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap 1500m
Shuri is a Kiwi bred daughter of a Japanese sire and is trained by Kris Lees. The four-year-old travelled to Taree for her only start on October 20 and she worked hard to lead from barrier 13 before racing away to win by 4.5 lengths. The mare has drawn perfectly and Dylan Gibbons rides.
Watch My Girl won impressively first up at Gosford and will be hard to beat while Flic En Flac has won two of four.
Selections: 3- Shuri 6- Watch My Girl 1- Flic En Flac
Race 4 – Coastline Pool & Spa CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap 1500m
Call Me Louis has a great chance if he starts from the awkward barrier. He was only beaten 1.23 lengths in a Rosehill Highway last start on November 11. He led all the way to win his only start at Newcastle on September 16.
Olivia’s Spirit has won two races at Grafton recently and is a threat.
Desi Emperor was run down late at Hawkesbury last start and led all the way at Kembla two starts back.
Selections: 3- Call Me Louis 2- Olivia’s Spirit 1- Desi Emperor
Race 5- Hungerford Hill Wines Provincial Maiden Plate 1400m
Jared deserves to break through after four placings from five starts this preparation and he was narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury last start. He has drawn wide but the in form Tyler Schiller has the mount.
Mulvader has also drawn wide but has been placed in his last two starts at Kembla and Newcastle.
My Mate Cobber was run down late at Muswellbrook last start.
Selections: 8- Jared 9- Mulvader 3- My Mate Cobber
Race 6- The New Era Technology Maiden Plate 1200m
The Godolphin filly Equipage can overcome an adverse barrier on the spacious track with Christian Reith in the saddle. On debut in January, she came from tenth on the turn to be beaten 1.91 lengths at Canterbury. In her only other start at Kembla on November 7 she was favourite when a 1 length third.
Belyaev wasn’t far away when placed at Gosford last start and Galaxy Field has a chance.
Selections: 8- Equipage 7- Belyaev 10- Galaxy Field
Race 7- Kloster Motor Group Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap 1200m
Divine Vicky has a good record, has drawn perfectly and has an in form jockey in Ash Morgan. She was runner up to a smart horse on the Kensington track on November 1 and first up the mare came from well back to win at Scone.
Tim’s Principal has found his best form and stormed home to win at Gosford last start.
Smiling Prophet is fitter now and ready to run well on her home track.
Selections: 5- Divine Vicky 12- Tim’s Principal 10- Smiling Prophet
Race 8 – PFD Food Services Benchmark 64 Handicap 900m
Mafia is first up and has been gelded since his last prep in the winter. He won a recent Rosehill trial, and a repeat of his two-year-old form would be good enough.
Country galloper Smart And Dapper bolted in at Muswellbrook last start and he can lead.
Good Lieutenant was a first up Kembla winner recently.
Selections: 6- Mafia 2- Smart And Dapper 4- Good Lieutenant