Race 1 – SAL, Lighting A Smarter Future Maiden Handicap 900m
Cryptonic is a very fast colt who has led in both starts at Hawkesbury. He was narrowly beaten on debut on a heavy track in a 1100m maiden and was run down when fourth over the same trip on May 30. The 200m shorter trip here is more suitable.
Etude is on debut after a nice trial while Qaraar is also on debut after a positive trial.
Selections: 1 – Cryptonic 6 – Etude 8 – Qaraar
Race 2 – Klein Tools Australia 4yo & Up Maiden Plate 1500m
Ain’t She Swell had no luck last start when an unplaced favourite at Taree on May 27. Last preparation the mare was placed at Gosford, Hawkesbury and Taree and she has drawn a nice barrier here. Regular rider Andrew Gibbons goes back on.
Tommy Thug has had overseas placings and has his first Australian start while Skyhawk has a place chance.
Selections: 8 – Ain’t She Swell 7 – Tommy Thug 6 – Skyhawk
Race 3 – Legrand Excel Life Smart Midway 3yo Maiden Handicap 1400m
Mega Fight has sound Kembla form, has a positive barrier and only carries 53kg with Braith Nock’s allowance. He was placed in his first two starts this preparation at Kembla coming from well back. Last start at Kembla he surprisingly led and tired. His best form is on wet tracks.
Pocket Eights should have finished closer when beaten two lengths at Newcastle last start and Faye Runaway can improve.
Selections: 11 – Mega Fight 3 – Pocket Eights 8 – Faye Runaway
Race 4 – Nexans Mobiway Boost Super Maiden Plate 1300m
Flying Thinker’s only start resulted in a strong finishing third on a heavy track at Hawkesbury on May 14. The filly had been trialing well in the lead up to her debut and the longer trip is ideal.
Stablemate Warhol is on debut after a nice trial and has the rails barrier while Superhero drops sharply in class.
Selections: 6 – Flying Thinker 13 – Warhol 12 – Superhero
Race 5 – World Wire Cables Class 1 Handicap 1200m
Glenbower is a dual acceptor and is the one to beat if he starts in this race. After good trial form the colt bolted in with a Newcastle maiden first up on a soft track on May 9. He has an inside barrier and should race behind the leaders.
Merchant Lady has had two starts for a Gosford win and a Canterbury placing earlier this year. Waterville’s only start resulted in a Warwick Farm win in February.
Selections: 2 – Glenbower 7 – Merchant Lady 8 – Waterville
Race 6 – Schneider Max9 Class 1 Handicap 1400m
California Sunrise was very impressive when she came from a long way back to win running away first up at Hawkesbury on May 30. She has had three starts and did not run for eleven months after an eye-catching Warwick Farm placing in April 2023.
Glenbower will be hard to beat if he starts here while House Of Cards has a chance.
Selections: 11- California Sunrise 2 – Glenbower 6 – House Of Cards
Race 7 – Pierlite Wombat Port Stephens Cup Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap 1250m
Herb’s last two performances at Kembla have been outstanding and he races well on soft and heavy tracks. He has no speed and came from last to win easily at Kembla on May 18 before coming from a clear last for a closing third on the same track on May 28.
Metallic Ruler is first up but races well fresh and his trials have been okay. Power Of The Brave can improve in his first start for two months.
Selections: 4 – Herb 13 – Metallic Ruler 2 – Power Of The Brave
Race 8 – The IPD Race Benchmark 64 Handicap 900m
Curl Curl has had four starts at Newcastle for a win and three placings. He bolted in fist up here on April 24 before a narrow defeat on his home track last start.
My Eloise drops in class and has a 3kg claim while Star Diesel has been trialing well.
Selections: 3 – Curl Curl 1 – My Eloise 5 – Star Diesel