Race 1 – Sharp Office Provincial 2&3YO Maiden Plate 900m
Soobooco will be a short-priced favourite and looks the winner. He hasn’t raced since August but trialled okay behind a fast horse recently. He has been runner up in two of his three starts in strong races.
Shalaa’s Moment is on debut after a quiet trial and Steel My Thunder can improve.
Selections: 3- Soobooco 6- Shalaa’s Moment 8- Steel My Thunder
Race 2 – Australian Bloodstock Benchmark 64 Handicap 900m
Flying Annie has a good record and is quick. She has had ten starts for three wins and five placings. She had good Victorian form before a narrow second at Gosford first up after leading to near the post.
Procrastinator is first up but has two wins and a second from three starts here.
Border Control won well first up at Gosford recently.
Selections: 1- Flying Annie 5- Procrastinator 6- Border Control
Race 3 – Horsepower Maiden Plate 1200m
Shalatin is knocking on the door after three seconds from his last three starts. He was narrowly beaten in his last two starts at Canterbury after racing on the speed. He has drawn nicely and will put himself in a forward position.
Graceful Force and Dear Jewel are first up after impressive trials.
Selections: 8- Shalatin 14- Graceful Force 13- Dear Jewel
Race 4 – NZB Karaka Yearling Sales Start January 29 F&M Maiden Handicap 1400m
Triples was backed off the map when she failed on the Beaumont track on Boxing Day. She had a lovely trail to the top of the straight but did not run on late. In her only other start the grey filly got back near last at Canterbury and made good ground late. The filly is capable of a form reversal.
Infinitive can run well here after fourths in her only two starts and she draws well.
Eau De Vie made good ground late on debut.
Selections: 11-Triples 4- Infinitive 1- Eau De Vie
Race 5 – Hellbent @ Yarraman Park CG&E Maiden Handicap 1400m
Burns To Embrace has raced well in all three starts this preparation. Last start he was beaten a length at Randwick on Boxing Day. He wasn’t far away at Kembla and Muswellbrook before Christmas, and he races close to the speed. He has a positive barrier.
San Lucido was an eye catching third on the Beaumont track first up on Boxing Day, and he will be hard to beat.
Competition came from a mile back when beaten a length at Wyong last start.
Selections: 2- Burns To Embrace 5- San Lucido 9- Competition
Race 6 – The Prince Of Merewether Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap 1200m
Geewiz Johnny was very unlucky last start a month ago when he was trapped three wide with no cover. He then made contact with another runner on several occasions before going down just under a length. Glyn Scofield makes the trip to Newcastle after riding the horse in his past two starts.
Harlem Groove went well first up and Silk Tie can improve in this field.
Selections: 7- Geewiz Johnny 4- Harlem Groove 8- Silk Tie
Race 7 – Hungerford Hill Benchmark 64 Handicap 1600m
Showtime Lady is a class mare with five wins and five placings from twenty starts. She hasn’t raced for more than a month but she has a very good fresh record. She was only beaten a length by Spangler two starts back at Canterbury.
Acosta bolted in on the Beaumont track on debut on Boxing Day while Fairway Star is racing well.
Selections: 1- Showtime Lady 11- Acosta 16- Fairway Star