Race 1- Mavid Mares Hunter Stayers Cup- Benchmark 68 Handicap 2900m
Dunlee is yet to win a race, but he is racing well and looks like he will run the tough trip. He handles wet or dry tracks and is in career best form.
Monreal wasn’t far away over 2400m at Eagle Farm last start, and Queenslander Head Up High is a winner at 2400m.
Selections: 5- Dunlee 3- Monreal 2- Head Up High
Race 2 – Terrace Trusses “Jockey Celebration Day” Maiden Plate 1400m
Martini Crusader was narrowly beaten first up at Wyong recently after being held up between the 400m and 250m. The 4yo will benefit from the 1 ½kg claim for talented apprentice Zac Lloyd.
Galifianakis has been placed in all three starts at Newcastle and he will be hard to beat.
Nullify is consistent, with three recent placings.
Selections: 2- Martini Crusader 1- Galifianakis 7- Nullify
Race 3 – Tradelink Plumbing Supplies Maiden Handicap 900m
Monte Invincible is a blueblood, with her dam Listen Here the dam of two Group 1 winners. She failed in her only start at Hawkesbury in June, and the filly was run down late in a recent trial. Monte Invincible has the rails barrier.
Gaylebeck is on debut after a creditable trial and Florida Sky was runner up first up.
Selections: 13- Monte Invincible 10- Gaylebeck 8- Florida Sky
Race 4- Polytec Punters Conditional Open Handicap 900m
Ceasefire has won four of seven starts and the blinkers go on this Saturday. He hasn’t been far away in two Newcastle starts. The long straight is ideal, and he has good soft track form.
Primal Scream is very fast and has good country form, while Endless River is racing well.
Selections: 3- Ceasefire 1- Primal Scream 5- Endless River
Race 5 – De Witt Consulting CG&E Maiden Handicap 1200m
Absolute Star has been gelded since his unplaced debut run at Canterbury in February. He trialled impressively at Randwick recently, and he trialled well at Randwick back in February.
Romeus has been gelded and is trialling well.
Dishin N Dancin was runner up at Warwick Farm last start.
Selections; 7- Absolute Star 14- Romeus 1- Dishin N Dancin
Race 6 – Adoram Steel F&M Maiden Handicap 1200m
Seiryu resumes here after two trial wins. She failed in two black type races earlier this year however, the spell will have done her good.
Pretty Shamrock won a recent Randwick trial in good style.
Lamorlaye has trialled okay and has a soft draw.
Selections: 9- Seiryu 8- Pretty Shamrock 6- Lamorlaye
Race 7 – “Hellooo National Tiles” CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap 1300m
Ka Bling has the rails barrier and a 3kg claim. He has raced well here and doesn’t mind a wet track.
Pad Thai came from a long way back when a narrow winner at Scone last start.
Mercury is always a chance.
Selections: 3- Ka Bling 9- Pad Thai 11- Mercury
Race 8 – Saddingtons Building Supplies F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap 1300m
Golden Gate is lightly raced with a good record. He won impressively at Newcastle on debut before a Goulburn placing, and he had no luck at Wyong last start.
Verzenay is in good form and Sanstoc raced well last preparation.
Selections: 11- Golden Gate 8- Verzenay 4- Sanstoc