Race 1- The $1M Hunter- November 16 Class 1 & Maiden Plate 2100m
Imported stayer Agosto will be a long odds on favourite and he looks a class above these. In his first Australian, start Agosto won a Kembla Maiden on July 25 then he has no luck when a close fifth at Newcastle on August 15. He will appreciate the longer trip.
The Borough wasn’t far away on the Newcastle Course Proper last start, while Kaldero has a place chance.
Selections:
1- Agosto
5- The Borough
2- Kaldero
Race 2- Avid Project Management Maiden Handicap 1350m
Aminate charged home late when beaten a nose on debut at Taree on August 16. He will appreciate the longer trip and he has drawn a nice barrier. Andrew Gibbons, back from an overseas holiday has the mount.
Is That So was run down late when runner up at Canberra last start and he was placed at Kembla in March.
Chasing Comets has been trialling well.
Selections:
2- Animate
1- Is That So
4- Chasing Comets
Race 3- Hungerford Hill Wines Class 3 Handicap 1350m
Belle De Vega raced away in the straight to win easily at Muswellbrook last start. She has a fine record and has raced well in better fields than this. A soft track is ideal.
Moana Marie can bounce back after two disappointing runs this campaign and her stablemate Heredero has been runner up in two starts this Champaign.
Selections:
7- Belle De Vega
5- Mona Marie
4- Heredero
Race 4- Cessnock Leagues Club F&M Maiden Handicap 1350m
Mary Magpie is knocking on the door after two recent placings at Scone and Muswellbrook. She came from well back when placed at Scone on August 6 and last start she was narrowly beaten at Muswellbrook. The mare has been placed in five of her twelve starts and Christian Reith has the mount.
Princess Siri was narrowly beaten at Kembla last start after leading to the final stages.
Magnificently has a horror draw but trialled impressively.
Selections:
9- Mary Magpie
1- Princess Siri
6- Magnificently
Race 5- East Cessnock Bowling Club Benchmark 58 Handicap 1350m
Wounded Soldier is a former Kiwi having his second start for the Lees stable. He was narrowly beaten first up when odds on favourite at Taree. He came from near last at the 400 and the longer trip on the spacious track is in his favour.
Stablemate Magic Charlie had good form last prep and he went well in a recent trial.
Appetizing comes off an impressive trial effort.
Selections:
1- Wounded Soldier
2- Magic Charlie
16- Appetizing
Race 6- Ron Reid Happy Valley Maiden Handicap 1150m
Sending Love was beaten a head at Taree on debut on August 18 after being tightened at the 150m. She had been trialling well before that run and in an open race she is a big player.
Head Spins is on debut after a recent trial win on the Beaumont track and Josh Parr only has one ride all day.
Fight For Love led all the way to win a recent Warwick Farm trial.
Selections:
6- Sending Love
1- Head Spins
2- Fight For Love
Race 7- The Ron Reid Life Benchmark 58 Handicap 1150m
Royal Eclipse is a fast filly with a win and four placings. She has been runner up in both starts this prep in strong races. She has drawn wide, but Reith rides and she has the speed to lead.
Frozen In Time has a win and two placings from three starts and she chased home a smart one at Muswellbrook last start.
Chargement overcame a wide run to win at Tamworth last start.
Selectiions:
9- Royal Eclipse
12- Frozen In Time
7- Chargement