Race-by-race preview and tips for Thursday meeting at Newcastle
By John Schell
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1- 12:40pm: MEMBERS @ NEWCASTLE RACECOURSE 3YO MAIDEN PLATE (900 METRES)
8. Impulsivity is a Russian Revolution filly on debut for the Peter and Paul Snowden stable. She’s had the benefit of three barrier trials in preparation for this, winning the latest of them at Canterbury. Has drawn to advantage and has the services of Kerrin McEvoy.
Racing returns to Newcastle on Thursday.Credit: Getty
Dangers: 2. Moravia is an unraced colt that has had five trials spread across a few preparations. He beat Platinum Jubilee in his first trial this time in work before running fourth to that horse in a Randwick heat last time out. 9. Perfect Proposal will find this much easier than the events she’s contested to date and has had a couple of trials to prepare for her return while 6. Helldancer is resuming and could show up in the placings.
How to play it: Impulsivity EACH WAY
Race 2 - 1:15pm: AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1850 METRES)
5. Condrieu has been just behind the placings with two fourths since resuming from a spell. She looks suited by the step up to 1850m and looks to be a progressive type. Alysha Collett takes the ride and she has a good association with the John O’Shea stable.
Dangers: 4. Twin Turbo resumed from a spell with a Kembla Grange win then wasn’t beaten far when midfield at the same track. 3. Diamond Drummer was narrowly beaten at Nowra last time out and should get the run of the race from gate four. 1 All About Ollie has finished second at his latest two starts, and he can figure in the placings again.
How to play it: Condrieu WIN
Race 3 - 1:50pm: NEW ERA TECHNOLOGY MIDWAY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
3. Frank Express was sent out as a short-priced favourite at Gosford at his latest start, and he raced on the speed and battled on well to finish second behind Dancemania. Frank Express has only had three starts and the latest was the best of them yet. Can go one better here.
Dangers: 1. Devon County hit the line well when resuming from a spell with a close-up second at Kembla Grange behind Crewman. Stays at the mile in this and looks to have plenty of upside. 2. Irish Anthem comes out of the same race as Devon County in which he finished third. If that form stacks up he can again figure in the placings.
How to play it: Frank Express WIN.
Race 4 - 2:25pm: LEES RACING PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
1. Prime Impact has hit his straps this preparation, winning his last two starts at Taree and Gosford. He is back up in weight for this but has the services of Australian premiership-winning jockey Aaron Bullock who has been aboard in both wins.
Dangers: 4. Too Good To Be Tru charged home to win in better company at Grafton last time out and a repeat of that would have him hard to hold out against this company while 9. Commander Bell has been good when paced at his latest two starts. 6. Tornado Light got all the favours to win last time out.
How to play it: Prime Impact WIN.
Race 5 - 3:05pm: BRAVE SMASH @ YARRAMAN PARK CLASS 1 HANDICAP (900 METRES)
1. Calamity Fox is a speedy type resuming from a spell here over the sprint trip of 900m and is drawn ideally in gate two. He’s trialled in good fashion having beaten quality performer The Bopper in a Gosford heat and he looks primed for a winning return to racing.
Dangers: 2. Legolas was a winner at Canberra at just his third start before tackling the Black Opal Stake and Wellington Boot and finishing down the track in each of them. He’s trialled well enough leading into this return and should take holding out. 10. Quick Onyx has been racing well and can also give cheek racing on the speed.
How to play it: Calamity Fox WIN.
Race 6 - 3:40pm: HORSEPOWER FEEDS & SUPPLEMENTS 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
2. Global Empire has been placed in three of his five starts and will appreciate the drop to provincial grade on the back of a second and a fourth at Canterbury at his past two starts. He should be prominent from the good draw.
Dangers: 1. Externus was resuming from a spell when narrowly defeated at this track. He has drawn ideally in barrier one in this event and should be in the firing line throughout. 11. Miss Couver is on debut for the Anthony Cummings camp and she showed improvement when scoring in a recent trial. A forward showing would not surprise.
How to play it: Global Empire WIN
Race 7 - 4:15pm: DAVALI THOROUGHBREDS CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
2. Double Scoop had been racing well with a solid second at Canterbury three starts back being followed up by a Wyong victory when justifying favouritism. Double Scoop subsequently raced on the speed at Kembla Grange and wasn’t disgraced when finishing fifth. Needs a little luck here but can bounce back.
Dangers: 5. Showsumgrit was a Hawkesbury winner over 1500m back in March before being sent for a spell. She hasn’t been asked to do much in her two barrier trials to prepare for this return, but she can be expected to sprint well fresh. 1. Skylon resumes here for the Chris Waller stable and the 1400m first-up looks made to order.
How to play it: Double Scoop EACH WAY
Race 8 - 4:50pm: PRINCE OF MEREWETHER HOTEL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
8. Orzala is a well-bred mare that has trialled twice in preparation for her resumption here. Won a maiden at this track last year and was tested in better company before being spelled. Should sprint well fresh.
Dangers: 3. Silvanito has been racing against similar grade in both starts since resuming from a spell and followed up a third at Wyong with a fifth at Canterbury last time out when not disgraced. Silvanito is drawn well and looks suited in this field. 7. Secret Spy resumed with a second against emerging sprinter Boston Rocks at Gosford then confirmed the strength of that form with an easy all the way win at Gosford. He is up in grade for this but looks capable of handling it.
How to play it: Orzala WIN
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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