Race 1 – TAB APP Class 1 Handicap 1850m
Squeezebox and Hardpoint stand out and the pair clashed in a 1400 metre Kembla Super Maiden two starts back. Squeezebox was clearly superior finishing second, four lengths from the winner by 2.5 lengths in front of Hardpoint. Both horses have had easy last start wins but Squeezebox appears more suited to the longer trip.
Kahraba has a place chance
Selections: 1- Squeezebox 2- Hardpoint 3- Kahraba
Race 2 – Allied The Careful Movers 2YO Maiden Plate 900m
Offenbach was nailed late in a recent Warwick Farm trial, and he has genuine speed.
Telling was never on the track when narrowly beaten in a Rosehill trial
Blitzburg is a well-bred colt and can improve on his trials
Selections: 4- Offenback 5- Telling 1- Blitzburg
Race 3 – Dailey Family Funerals Maiden Handicap 900m
Two start starters stand out after winning trials impressively. Shropshire Lad won a Scone trial by 14 lengths in February and recently again at Scone he was slowly away when finishing strong unextended to win a trial on November 13. With a 3 kilogram claim he will carry 56 kilograms.
Overtook raced away late to win a recent Hawkesbury trial easily.
Miss Piera has a place chance.
Selections: 1- Shropshire Lad 3- Overtook 5- Miss Piera
Race 4 – The Adviser Collective Class 1 Handicap 1400m
Good Once caught the eye with a fast finishing third at Wyong on November 9 and he will appreciate the more spacious track. He has a win and a second from two Newcastle starts, and Tommy Berry has the mount over a more suitable trip.
Prince Of Sorts is speedy and is in good form with a win and two placings in his past three starts and he has a 3-kilogram claim.
Aroha Stone won well at Port Macquarie last start.
Selections: 3- Good Once 2- Prince Of Sorts 5- Aroha Stone
Race 5 – Davali Thoroughbreds Benchmark 68 Handicap 2300m
Hiawatha is a solid stayer ready to win third up from a spell. He was runner up in a strong Kembla Class 1 first up on October 26 before finishing midfield at Rosehill on November 9. Kerrin McEvoy has the mount from a nice barrier.
California Grass found form when narrowly beaten at Rosehill last start and she races well at Newcastle.
Oakfield Hawk will benefit from a 2-kilogram claim and is in good form.
Selections: 2- Hiawatha 6- California Grass 3- Oakfield Hawk
Race 6 – Red Funnel Food Distributors Maiden Plate 1300m
Star Of Paris is knocking on the door with two recent placings in her only two starts. Her close third at Hawkesbury on November 12 was an eye catcher when she came from near last to miss by three quarters of a length. The filly has to overcome a wide barrier but McEvoy rides.
Swift Gun just missed at Hawkesbury last start and Rubi’s Serve is close to a win.
Selections: 14- Star Of Paris 5- Swift Gun 10- Rubi’s Serve
Race 7 – Rarity Wholesale Benchmark 64 Handicap 1250m
True Amor was very impressive in an easy first up win at Kembla on November 5. He settled in second place and although racing greenly he sprinted away late. The barrier is a negative but in two of his three starts he has raced in the first two.
Lounerse is at double figure odds, and he was won three of seven and had no luck last start.
Art Volant is trialling well.
Selections: 10- True Amour 5- Lounerse 4- Art Volant
Race 8 – The Prince Of Merewether Maiden Plate 1500m
Rumbling Night had no luck on debut at Hawkesbury when he was well backed. He pulled hard back in the field, was off heels at the 800 and was held up from the 400 to the 100. Tim Clark takes over and looks for an improvement from the inside barrier.
Omnic was narrowly beaten here last start and Great White Shark is fitter third up.
Selections: 10- Rumbling Night 8- Omnic 6- Great White Shark