Kris Lees’ three-year-old filly So Newchee Thinks, runner up in her past two starts on wet tracks is set to break through for her first win when she contests the East Maitland Bowling Club Maiden Plate (1850m) at Newcastle on Saturday. The So You Think filly was gallant in defeat when beaten by three quarters of a length by a Listed placegetter in Waverley in a 1900m set weights maiden on this track on June 22.
The track was rated a Soft 7 and So Newchee Thinks raced in second place and looked the winner when she reached the lead 200m out, but Waverley was too classy. Two runs back at Wyong the filly came from well back when runner up behind stablemate Tigon Princess on a heavy track. Blake Spriggs has ridden So Newchee Thinks in three of her past four starts, and he has the mount on Saturday.
Cessnock trained Soobooco, which landed a huge plunge on this track last start on June 22 can win again when he runs in the HBCF Pink Day Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m). Both his career wins have been on wet tracks, and he was very impressive in coming from well back to win by 2.97 lengths over this trip last start. This is a much stronger race, but trainer Larry Fairhall has booked apprentice Madeline Owen for the ride, and her 3kg allowance means the gelding will only carry 54.5kg. Soobooco has drawn nicely, and with plenty of speed in the short course event he should have the race run to suit.
Luna Field resumes from a spell in the Toronto Workers Club Super Maiden Plate (900m) and the Bjorn Baker trained three-year-old is unbeaten in two recent trials. He has only had three starts and started favourite in two of them early in the year. The gelding is very quick, and he bolted in under a hold in a recent short course Warwick Farm trial on a heavy track. He was placed after leading in two starts at Wyong and Gosford in February. Aaron Bullock has the mount on Saturday.
Locally trained mare Spirit Of Storm has an impressive record at Newcastle and Sam Kavanagh’s four-year-old is well placed in the Club Charlestown Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m). Spirit Of Storm has two wins and three placings from seven starts on her home track, and she is a winner on a heavy track at Newcastle. The in-form Jean Van Overmeire has ridden the mare in her past two starts and he retains the mount on Saturday.
Fioprospero, responsible for eye-catching performances at his past two starts this preparation steps up to a more suitable trip in the Beresfield Bowling Club Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m). The son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente races well at Newcastle where he has had five starts for a win and three placings. The three-year-old has no speed but runs out a strong mile and he will be at his top third run from a spell. On June 29 he came from ninth in a field of ten at the top of the straight when a closing second behind the promising Imposant on this track over 1400m.
Saturday’s race meeting is the 15th annual Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation Pink Race Day supported by Clubs In The Community. A huge turnout is expected on Saturday with the Trackside Marquee, Pink Meadows Marquee, Ascot Lawn, Mark Murphy Lounge and Courtyard Room sold out.