Race 1 – JOIN ASCOT VIP NEWCASTLE NOBBYS – BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Chalmers races well on this track and he drops in class here after contesting the recent Provincial Final at Kembla. He finished fourth in a much stronger field in the Provincial Heat at Newcastle two starts back.
Stablemate I Am Awesome is well weighted after the claim and she is in good form.
Dawn Raid is a last start Hawkesbury winner with a chance.
Selections:
1 Chalmers
5 I am Invincible
2 Dawn Raid
Race 2 – NEW FM BOXING DAY RACES CLASS 2 HANDICAP (900 METRES)
Dreamy Belle was heavily backed when beaten two lengths first up at Gosford on December 6. The mare had solid short course form last prep and she has won second up in the past. She is perfectly drawn and has genuine speed.
Invincible Lad wasn’t far away when placed here first up recently and he is suited by the 900 metres.
The Drake is a fast gelding resuming after an easy trial win.
Selections:
4 Dreamy Belle
2 Invincible Lad
3 The Drake
Race 3 – HUNGERFORD HILL 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (900 METRES)
Nivalis is knocking on the door with three placings from three starts this prep. She was narrowly beaten when second in two starts on this track in October – November. Last start, she was run down late at Gosford.
Sevini is fist up after two trials and she was a close fourth when favourite at Scone in June.
Time And Again was a close second at Wyong on debut in June and she has had two recent trials.
Selections:
5 Nivalis
6 Sevini
10 Time And Again
Race 4 – LIMITLESS GYM MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
Task And Purpose is one of eight runners trained by Chris Waller but she clearly has the best form. She was beaten half a length at Warwick Farm last start and she has been placed in four of her seven starts.
Verve is close to a win after a placing here last start and he will appreciate the trip.
Fairy Me Home ran on well when fourth here on debut recently and the mile will be more to his liking.
Selections:
1 Task And Purpose
9 Verve
3 Fairy Me Home
Race 5 – COASTLINE POOLS & SPAS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (2360 METRES)
Hirokin was a game second in the Cessnock Cup on this track two starts back. He wasn’t far away last start at Warwick Farm and he was only beaten half a length in the Queanbeyan Cup.
Allzin races well on this track where he was a winner two starts back. He is well in after the claim and all his seven runs have been on tracks rated a Good 3 or 4.
Chosen Prince is in good form winning at Scone last start.
Selections:
3 Hirokin
1 Allzin
5 Chosen Prince
Race 6 – TOP CUT FOODS BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Swelt is lightly raced with a win and two placings from three starts. The colt was placed behind Lean Mean Machine at Warwick Farm in March. He was only beaten a length first up at Hawkesbury last month then he scored at Gosford two weeks back.
Petra Jewell wasn’t far away in a strong race at Newcastle two weeks back and Clevanicc went well first up.
Selections:
8 Swelt
6 Petra Jewel
2 Clevanicc
Race 7 – NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE APP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Verlan resumes here on the back of two trial wins. She has had two starts on this track for a win and a second. She has raced well first up in the past.
Lions Head has the benefit of a first up run at Kembla when a close fourth. He was runner up in his only start here in July.
Oakfield Twilight wasn’t far away first up and he races okay here.
Selections:
7 Verlan
6 Lions Head
9 Oakfield Twilight
Race 8 – SENPOS MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
Home Scene is well placed here after two solid efforts at Canterbury. He is an on pacer and has drawn the rails barrier.
Intrepidus is on debut after a recent Newcastle trial win and Isilmo is another on debut from the Godolphin stable.
Selections:
4 Home Scene
5 Intrepidus
6 Ilismo