Race 1 – Elders Insurance Maitland Midway Class 1 Handicap 900m
Forecaster resumes from a spell and clearly has the best form. In May he won a Canterbury Maiden on a heavy track and next start he was narrowly beaten at Randwick. He hasn’t raced since pulling up lame at Randwick in July.
Spiritchaser was a close second on this track first up recently and Sir Kerm has a chance.
Selections: 1- Forecaster 5- Spiritchaser 2- Sir Kerm
Race 2 – Hunter Land Management 3YO & Up Maiden Plate 900m
Tradition was unlucky when he came from a mile back to be beaten half a length at Kembla first up on October 13. He meets a moderate field, and he will appreciate the longer trip. He is well weighted under the set weight conditions.
Cherokee Cherry has been placed in her first two recent Port Macquarie starts and she is well placed here.
Balmain Lad has a place chance.
Selections: 9- Tradition 4- Cherokee Cherry 2-Balmain Lad
Race 3- Astute Financial Maitland Class 1 Handicap 1400m
Floating is in great form, and he loves the spacious Newcastle track. He careered away to win a Newcastle Maiden by 4 lengths on a heavy track last start on October 11. Two starts back he came from a mile back with a storming finish to just miss.
Golden Age led all the way to win a Warwick Farm Maiden on October 19.
Viennoisrie was unlucky on this track last start.
Selections: 2- Floating 3- Golden Age 7- Viennoisrie
Race 4 – Hunt Hospitality Provincial Maiden Handicap 1400m
Wrathful debuted at Warwick Farm when a close fourth in a much stronger race on October 19. He trialled well prior to his debut, and he has drawn favourably.
Classic Deel made up good ground in her first run for her new trainer here on October 11.
Edge Of Reward has been placed in his past two starts.
Selections: 3- Wrathful 8- Classic Deel 2- Edge Of Reward
Race 5 – Australian Construction Group Benchmarks 68 Handicap 1600m
Cross The Rubicon is ready to produce her best third up. She has won two from four on this track and she has a powerful finish when there is a good tempo.
Mediaro came from last to win here first up and will be fitter.
Scorched Land continues to race well.
Selections: 7- Cross The Rubicon 3- Mediaro 2- Scorched Land
Race 6 – First National Maitland CG&E Maiden Plate 1250m
Whinchat was placed in his only start on this track in June. He has won two recent trials and has the rails barrier. He has the speed to be prominent.
Bundeena was run down late on this track last start and Havlicek was a close third on this track on debut recently.
Selections: 10- Whinchat 2- Bundeena 4-Havlicek
Race 7- The Paterson Tavern F&M Maiden Plate 1250m
Fall For Cindy is on debut after two nice trials. In the most recent trial at Rosehill the filly was slow away but ran on nicely under a hold.
Tragara has been placed in her two starts this prep at Newcastle and she has speed.
Defiantly Maybe had excuses when placed at Kembla first up.
Selections: 7- Fall For Cindy 10- Tragara 1- Defiantly Maybe
Race 8 – Huxley Hill Benchmark 64 Handicap 1250m
Yumi is first up after an impressive trial recently. She won two on the trot at Hawkesbury and Goulburn last prep.
Cool Lad is missing his form but is capable of winning while Sequana[1] has a chance.
Selections: 11- Yumi 14- Cool Lad 6- Sequana