Newcastle Preview – Saturday 16 February

RACE 1 – CAMP QUALITY 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP 900M

A big field of 2-year-old’s and there is speed to burn. Lavande is a Godolphin filly on debut after an eye-catching trial at Rosehill recently. She raced behind the leaders in the trial and ran on under a hold to go down by half a length. The rails barrier is a positive.

Royal Eclipse is another on debut after a smart trial win and Lilly Pilly was placed at Canterbury.

Selections:

7 Lavande

10 Royal Eclipse

3 Lilly Pilly

 

RACE 2 – RINGAL VALLEY DELI AND CAFÉ MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M

Purton resumes from a spell on the back of an impressive trial at Warwick Farm. Purton was close up at Wyong and Kembla during the winter and he has been gelded since his last start in June.

Airwing went okay when beaten two lengths on this track on debut two weeks ago.

Royal Captain was placed here last prep and trialled nicely recently.

Selections:

6 Purton

2 Airwing

4 Royal Captain

 

RACE 3 – SOUTH NEWCASTLE RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M

More Than A Horse has his first start after an easy Warwick Farm trial win two weeks ago. He was behind the leader until the home turn in the trial and he drew clear under a hold. He has an ideal barrier and the speed to be in the leading group.

Haikili was only beaten three lengths first up at Canterbury an dhe was never off the bit when closing late in a recent trial.

On The White Turf was placed at Canterbury in June and she won a recent trial.

Selections:

3 More Than A Horse

1 Haikili

7 On The White Turf

 

RACE 4 – WEBBER ARCHITECTS MAIDEN PLATE 1880M

Staying bred filly Julkkis is well placed under the set weight conditions. She flashed home when second to Alier on this track weeks ago and the winner went to the city and won next start. Blinkers go on this time.

Estovorto did not have much luck when placed here last start and he will be hard to beat.

Deelbraka has been knocking on the door with three seconds this prep and he is an on pacer.

Selections:

14 Julkkis

6 Estroverto

5 Deelbraka

 

RACE 5 – NET MODULAR MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400M

A very open race with quality. Elgin was never on the track over an unsuitable trip first up on the Beaumont track recently. He was strong to the line and is crying out for the 1400 on the course proper.

Arrogante was brave on debut on this track two weeks ago when runner up.

Be Mindful has been placed in three of five starts and races well here.

Selections:

3 Elgin

2 Arrogante

1 Be Mindful

 

RACE 6 – CALVARY MATER NEWCASTLE CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1600M

Materiality steps up in class but she is a promising filly with a consistent record. The filly nailed another smart filly in her recent Muswellbrook win and she will appreciate the 1600.

Shuffle Up looked good winning on the Beaumont track on Australia Day while Baanone won easily at Canberra last start.

Selections:

9 Materiality

2 Shuffle Up

1 Baanone

 

RACE 7 – PERFORMHR NEWCASTLE NOBBYS BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1200M

The Big Vin is a smart four-year-old resuming after two barrier trial wins. He has won two of his six starts and he was a ‘good’ thing beaten in another. He is a winner on the track and his rider Andrew Gibbons has been aboard in all of his six starts.

Fratellino is in career best form with two wins and a second from his past four starts.

The Lion is a backmarker but is strong late.

Selections:

6 The Big Vin

1 Fratellino

9 The Lion

 

RACE 8 – PROSPERITY ADVISERS GROUP CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1400M

Lady Of Shallot is in a winnable race after two runs from a spell. She should have finished closer when beaten 2 ½ lengths at Canterbury six-weeks ago and she loves to be fresh.

Matakanui is a former Victorian which caught the eye first up on this track on Australia Day.

China Gale was very good in a classy recent trial and he raced well last prep.

Selections:

6 Lady Of Shalott

9 Matakanui

1 China Gale

 

RACE 9 – HUNTER H20 BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP 1200M

Miss Redoble goes well first up and she hasn’t raced since mid-December. She is a talented mare which races back in the field and comes with a strong finish. She has won four of her ten starts.

Norton is a former Victorian with good credentials.

Nicconita has good city form and has a good chance.

Selections:

8 Miss Redoble

5 Norton

12 Nicconita