The Freedman brothers training partnership will send a team of five to the Newcastle Jockey Club’s Saturday race meeting. The 4yo mare Head On Up appears the stables best chance when she resumes from a spell in the MyBig Benchmark 68 Handicap (900m).
Head On Up has had 12 starts for two wins and seven placings. She won a Gosford Class 1 on a Soft 6 in August before close placings at Doomben and Eagle Farm. The mare has trialled well recently and in her only Newcastle start in September 2020 over this trip she was beaten a length. Head On Up has barrier one and Newcastle based Ashley Morgan who is equal leader with James McDonald in the NSW Jockey’s Premiership has the mount.
The Freedman camps other runners are Minister, Tee Cee Tiger, Amathuba and Son Of Sangio. Minister is opposed to a moderate field in the opening event, the Sharp Office 3yo & Up Maiden Handicap (900m). He can improve on his first up run and he will appreciate a soft track. Tee Cee Tiger is on debut in the MBA GTP 2YO Maiden Plate (900m) however the filly may struggle in this race. The consistent Amathuba has claims in the 1250m Buildcert Maiden Plate. The filly has been placed in four of five starts including three on this track. Son Of Sangio, an easy Bathurst winner on debut a month ago runs in the Mates In Construction Class 1 Handicap (1200m).
Joe Pride’s filly Lekvarte is on an ATC Oaks campaign and she returns to her favourite track in the Master Builders Insurance Brokers Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). The filly was responsible for an outstanding performance when she won a 1600m Maiden on this track in December. She bolted in first up over 1350m on February 15. The filly has sound soft track form and the long straight is ideal.
The Chris Waller trio Galifianakis, Inuwashi and Scat’s Surfer Girl may dominate the 1500m Sage Painting Maiden Handicap. Galifianakis finished strongly when beaten a head over 1400m on this track on debut on February 5. Scat’s Surfer Girl was narrowly beaten at Hawkesbury on February 8. Inuwashi was slowly away when runner up at Canterbury on January 28.
The Gary Portelli trained Belriah has bright prospects in the MBA GTP Maiden Plate (900m). She was beaten less then 4 lengths in the Kirkham Plate at Randwick in October and her recent trial was very impressive.