Gary Harley – Herald – 18.02.25

    Rubi’s Serve who is racing well on the Newcastle tracks is well placed in the final event at the Newcastle Jockey Clubs race meeting on Tuesday. Mark Minervini’s mare has drawn perfectly in barrier three in the 1400 metre The Adviser Collective Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap with Lee Magorrian booked for the ride. The astute trainer will apply blinkers on the four-year-old which has had seven starts in this track for a win and five placings.

    Lasts tart on February 1 Rubi’s Serve came form well back and flashed home along the rail to be beaten by a neck. She was impressive winning on this track in November and the mare stormed home to win on the Beaumont track on Boxing Day. Both her wins have been on Good 4 surfaces.

    John Thompson is sending his filly Zounaka to Newcastle and she appears as the winner of the 1400 metre A-Plus Contracting & Poly Welding Midway Class 1 Handicap. The filly has been runner up in all three Newcastle starts and in the 3-year-olds three starts this preparation Zounaka was an easy Kembla maiden winner on January 4 and two close up seconds at Newcastle on January 21 and February 1. The negative on Tuesday is that the filly has drawn the outside barrier however talented apprentice William Stanley will claim 3 kilograms.

    Devine Vicky, narrowly beaten second up at Warwick Farm on February 5 will be hard to beat in the 1200 metre Davali Yearlings @ Easter 5YO & Up Benchmark 64 Handicap. The mare was taken back to last from the outside barrier at Warwick Farm and she was second last at the 400. Divine Vicky flashed home between runners to finish fourth less than a length from the winner. Apprentice Rebecca Bronett Prag will claim 3 kilograms and she rode the mare last start. She has been placed in her only two Newcastle starts.

    The Paul Perry trained Flying Argyle steps up from the short courses to the 1250 metre Dailey Family Funerals Maiden Plate. He has been runner-up in four of his seven Newcastle starts all over the 900-metre course. The inform Alysha Collett has the mount in a winnable race.

    The consistent Don’tcha Think will have a gear change when he lines up in the 1500 metre The Windsor Castle, Happy 50th Kim Benchmark 64 Handicap. He was placed in a Rosehill Highway on January 18 and he was two placings away when fourth on this track on February 1. Trainer Mark Milton will apply winkers for the first time and Keagan Latham will have the mount again.

    Alfred trained by Kylie Gavenlock is capable of a sharp improvement in the 1400 metre Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Maiden Plate. Two starts back he made good from midfield when fourth on this track however he led when he stepped up in trip and failed here on January 25. Aaron Bullock has been booked for the ride.