Bjorn Baker’s two-year-old filly Line Of Law, a close third on debut in the Max Lees Classic on this track in November is ready to break through for her first win in the NAC Services 2yo Maiden Plate (900m) at the Newcastle race meeting on Saturday. She has had three starts, all in feature races, and Line Of Law has performed well in all three.
The filly led in the Max Lees Classic and was third behind classy two-year-olds Fire Lane and Cylinder. A month later Line Of Law finished five lengths behind smart juveniles in the $500,000 Inglis Nursery at Randwick. After a spell the filly went to Eagle Farm where she was beaten four lengths in the Listed Dalrello. She has since trialed at Randwick on May 15 and the filly has the speed to race close over the short course.
James Cummings’ Lonhro filly Coriolis, a model of consistency is well placed in the Australian Bloodstock Maiden Plate (1250m). Koby Jennings will ride Coriolis who has been runner-up in three of her six starts at Randwick, Warwick Farm and Wyong. She hasn’t raced since February, however the filly trialed nicely at Warwick Farm recently.
Hawkesbury trained Stars And Bars, enjoying a good preparation has plenty in his favour when he contests the Hortscapes Landscaping Class 1 Handicap (1200m). He has a win and two seconds from his past three starts and he has the rails barrier on Saturday. In his only start at Newcastle he bolted in with a Maiden, winning by 3 ¼ lengths.
Nathan Doyle’s lightly raced filly Overriding faces her toughest task when she runs in the Palmieri Conveyancing Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m). Overriding has had four starts for two wins and one second, and on this track, she is unbeaten in two starts. She was very impressive winning first up at Newcastle recently.
The lightly race Smart Legend, a brilliant winner at Kembla last start will be hard to beat in the Pacific Brick Paving Midway Class 1 Handicap (1400m). The three-year-old won a trial by a big space prior to the Kembla win, and he can win again.
Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith, enjoying one of his best seasons will send promising stayer Prefer The Wink to Newcastle to run in the NTS Services Maiden Handicap (1850m). The three-year-old has only raced twice and has been impressive in both starts. He was strong to the line in a Canterbury 1250m Maiden on debut on May 3. Last start on May 20 at Newcastle he came from well back to finish fifth in a 1400m Maiden. Bred to stay, the Kiwi bred gelding will appreciate the longer trip and spacious track.
The consistent Reginald has a good record at Newcastle, and he has a good chance in The Burwood Inn Mark Hughes Foundation Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). The gelding has a win and two placings at Newcastle, and he has drawn perfectly.