RACE 1 – Sage Painting Class 1 Handicap1600M
The Randwick trained pair The Mediator and Sophomore are promising stayers and the 1600 metres third up is ideal for both. The Mediator was strong late when an easy winner over 1500 at Kembla two weeks ago and he was placed on this track first up.
Sophomore found the 1400 too short when a fast finishing third at Kembla three weeks ago. She has had two starts at Newcastle for a win and a placing.
Mirror Model a last starts at Newcastle for a win and a placing.
SELECTIONS – 5 THE MEDIATOR 4 SOPHOMORE 6 MIRROR MODEL
RACE 2 – Ben Woodward 50th Birthday Maiden Handicap 900M
Jaytees was formerly trained by Gerald Ryan when he had nine starts for seven placings. The five-year-old has had one start for Tracey Bartley on this track two weeks ago. He was beaten a nose in fast time. He is pretty quick and in two starts on this track Jaytees has been runner up both times.
Nebula has been trialling well for this debut run and From The Hip races well here.
SELECTIONS – 1 JAYTEES 2 NEBULA 3 FROM THE HIP
RACE 3 – Hunter Valley Premium Meats Maiden Handicap 1400M
Covent Garden, Winx’s little sister, is yet to fill a place in three starts but this is a winnable race. She has failed on two rain affected tracks but Saturday’s track will be firm and her best run was on a Good 4 track at Warwick Farm on September 2. The 3 year old led and was only beaten 1.8 lengths.
One Star Shining was an eye catching third on debut at Scone on August 25 and pulled up lame when unplaced on this track two weeks ago.
Mi Greyt Mate has been placed in his only two starts at Muswellbrook.
SELECTIONS – 7 COVENT GARDEN 3 ONE STAR SHINING 2 MI GREYT MATE
RACE 4 – $1 Million Hunter Race Day November 14 Benchmark 64 Handicap 1870M
Lions Roar has had three starts for two wins and a second . He won on debut on a heavy track at Wagga in April. He was runner up to the boom galloper Mo’unga first up on this track on August 22.
Last start at Kembla three weeks ago Lions Roar led all the way to win easily
SELECTIONS- 7 LIONS ROAR 10 SAPPHIRE SON 3 LIAM’S THE BOSS
RACE 5 – Happy 60th Nern Maiden Plate 1250M
Fastconi is ready to win after a solid fourth in a strong race first up at Warwick Farm on September 16. He was beaten a head on debut at Canterbury in May and he is well drawn here.
Fastconi will be ridden by Victorian apprentice Thomas Stockdale who is on loan to the horses trainer Chris Waller.
Tuscan Gaze is on debut after a nice trial and Deel With Me is trialling well.
SELECTIONS – 5 FASTCONI 12 TUSCAN GAZE 3 DEEL WITH ME
RACE 6 – New Zealand Bloodstock Benchmark 64 Handicap 1200M
Commanding Missile is unbeaten in two starts and he will appreciate the long straight. He overcame difficulties to win on debut at Scone on August 25 and then he went to Goulburn where he won narrowly. This is by far his toughest test.
Absolute Legend has a win and two placings from three starts and he is a winner on this track.
Keiai Tsubaki beat Dawn Passage in a recent trial.
SELECTIONS- 9 COMMANDING MISSILE 3 ABSOLUTE LEGEND 10 KEIAI TSUBAKI
RACE 7 – Hungerford Hill Wines Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap 1300M
Holy Reign loves the track where he has raced eight times for two wins and four seconds. He stormed home to just miss on this track last start two weeks ago. He came from last to run down Zell on this track on August 8.
Pride of Adelaide is talented and he resumes after two trials.
Miss Twilight is racing well and can lead.
SELECTIONS – 3 HOLY REIGN 4 PRIDE OF ADELAIDE 8 MISS TWILIGHT