Race 1 – Cessnock Engineering Maiden Plate 900m
Sharpen The Knives has been placed in all five starts this preparation and this is a suitable race for the mare. She should settle behind a fast pace and be strong late on a track where she has been placed in three of four starts.
Toyger is quick and has placed in five of eight starts at Newcastle.
Savoldi is on debut after a trial win.
Selections: 8- Sharpen The Knives 4- Toyger 10- Savoldi
Race 2 – Hunter Machine Services Maiden Plate 1850m
Fakhra is much better on a drying track after failing on a heavy track last start. She was narrowly beaten first up on this track and came from well back when a close second at Hawkesbury two starts back. This trip is ideal and she has drawn well.
Stablemate Ceremonious is racing well and Flying Chevrolet has a chance.
Selections: 5- Fakhra 2- Ceremonious 6- Flying Chevrolet
Race 3 – Jenkins Legal Classic Super Maiden Handicap 1400m
Longinus is a well backed favourite when a close fourth on debut on this track on August 8. He raced fiercely during the race and toughed it out down the straight. He has a positive barrier and will be fitter. Longinus had good trial form before his first start.
Cristal Clear was narrowly beaten first up at Wyong on July 25, while Beauty Edge has been placed in all three starts.
Selections: 2- Longinus 3- Cristal Clear 1- Beauty Edge
Race 4 – Hunter Valley Steel 3YO Maiden Handicap 1250m
Canpikapony was placed first up at Canterbury on July 24. He was a well backed favourite after an easy trial win and was given every chance by James McDonald. However, with that run under his belt and a good barrier he will be hard to beat.
Mount Everest is on debut after two trial wins while Pleasure Artist can improve.
Selections: 3- Canpikapony 1- Mount Everest 7- Pleasure Artist
Race 5 – Lake Macquarie Cup Benchmark 68 Handicap 1250m
Denman Star is unbeaten in two starts for his new trainer and he can overcome the wide barrier. Both wins have been on this track and last start he stormed home from near last on the straight. The apprentices 2 kilogram allowance will offset the big weight.
Manhattan’s came from last on the turn to win on this track on August 3 and Selous can run well first up.
Selections: 1- Denman Star 11- Manhattan’s 5- Selous
Race 6 – Kearsley Hotel Class 1 Handicap 1600m
Media Frenzy’s second up run on this track recently was full of merit and she is well placed. She raced near the rear and hit the line hard when runner up to talented stablemate Hell’s Itch. The mare is ready to win and the ‘Mile’ is ideal.
My Mate Cobber is racing well on the track and Al Ras Blues is a last start winner.
Selections: 9- Media Frenzy 6- My Mate Cobber 3- Al Ras Blues
Race 7- Solid Engineering Benchmark 64 Handicap 1400m
Gold Dust put the writing on the wall with a solid third behind Winx’s three quarter sister Wings Of Desire on this track on August 8. In her previous two starts she finished close up at Hawkesbury and Canterbury. She is ready for the longer trip.
Kervette broke through for a well deserved win at Wyong last start and Princess Cruizer was narrowly beaten here last start.
Selections: 3- Gold Dust 5- Kervette 4- Princess Cruizer
Race 8 – Titan Containers Benchmark 64 Handicap 1400m
Mondo bolted in on this track on August 8 and he is well placed with the gun apprentices 3 kilogram allowance. He was never on the track last start and he has the rails barrier.
Fox Reign is promising and should run well while Side Show can improve.
Selections: 8- Mondo 12- Fox Reign 2- Side Show