Race 1 – Bekaert Ropeworks Benchmark 64 Handicap 2300m
Domingo has put the writing on the wall with two solid performances in recent starts. Last start he was runner up in a Benchmark 68 2100m on a heavy track at Hawkesbury. Two starts back at Gosford he was beaten less than 2 lengths when runner up, also over 2100m. He loves a wet track so any rain would be helpful.
Frankie’s Me Dad is a strong stayer and a winner on this track, while Supertrail just missed at Gosford last start.
Selections: 1- Domingo 2- Frankie’s Me Dad 3- Supertrail
Race 2 – The Parks Bistro & Catering 2yo Maiden Plate 900m
Only a small field with seven unraced youngsters lining up. Three of Australia’s leading trainers have runners, but Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle has a smart filly in Body of Venus who can beat the Sydneysiders. The filly went to Warwick Farm for her only trial showing great speed to lead by six lengths, ultimately winning by 2.15 lengths eased down. She has barrier one and Mitchell Bell rides.
The Godolphin pair Glorioso and Skogafoss both trialed nicely under no pressure.
Selections: 5- Body Of Venus 7- Glorioso 3- Skogafoss
Race 3- Lexus Of Newcastle 3yo & Up Maiden Handicap 900m
Bobby Is King has not raced since March 2022 when he had much better form than these can boast. In his last start he was run down late when attempting to lead all the way on this track. His best form is on rain affected tracks, but he bolted in with a recent Wyong trial on a Good 4.
Spirit Of Storm resumes and he was placed in both starts at Newcastle last preparation while Just Wai is close to a win.
Selections: 1- Bobby Is King 4- Spirit Of Storm 10- Just Wai
Race 4 – Aon United Midway Class 1 Handicap 1400m
Emmadella is flying and looks the winner. She’s in good form this preparation and draws nicely in barrier four. She was at double figure odds when a closing third on this track first up on October 14. She then finished fast to win a Kembla maiden, and last start at Wyong she flashed home to be beaten ½ length behind the smart Eau De Vie.
Boominartie had solid Victorian form before a good last start placing at Canterbury in July. He went well in a recent Wyong trial and Ambassadors can improve.
Selections: 4- Emmadella 1- Boominartie 2- Ambassadors
Race 5 – The Pro-Torque Minion Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap 1200m
The unbeaten Scone mare Rapbidash is very talented and resumes after two trials. She came from a mile back when winning a Muswellbrook Maiden on debut by four lengths. She then won at Taree before going to the paddock. The mare won a Scone trial in late October.
Successful is racing well and was narrowly beaten here on October 10.
Rocstar Boy is first up but always puts in.
Selections: 5- Rapbidash 7- Successful 2- Rocstar Boy
Race 6- The O’Neill’s Tyres Maitland Jim O’Neill Memorial Provincial Maiden Plate 1300m
Magnatear will be fitter for a slashing first up second at Hawkesbury on November 9. He stormed home when placed at Wyong two starts back in June and he will appreciate the long straight and the extra 200 metres.
Aix En Provence came from well back when second at Wyong on debut and the trainer is flying.
Zedari steps up to Provincial class but can run top four.
Selections: 1- Magnatear 2- Aix En Provence 3- Zedari
Race 7- The Hunter Community Race Day Maiden Plate 1500m
An open race but Our Uptown Girl has a good chance. On debut in May over the Scone Cup Carnival she was beaten 1.65 lengths in the Listed 2yo Woodlands. She was a close third first up at Kembla on October 7 but needs to improve on her last two starts.
Dublin Belle finished fourth behind a smart filly at Hawkesbury on debut recently and Ekeler has a chance.
Selections: 13- Our Uptown Girl 6- Dublin Belle 4- Ekeler