Latest News

By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

1. Community had been racing well with a couple of placings at Gosford before breaking through to score last time out at this track in good style. He only needs to run up to that to be in the thick of things again.

Dangers: 4. Fioprospero won well at this track when resuming four starts ago and he hasn’t been disgraced since, with the latest being a last start fourth here. 2. Every Effort hasn’t been far away in his latest two Gosford runs and could be placed. 3. Shadow Shot looks the best of the rest.

How to play it: Community WIN.

1. Know Thyself is on debut here but has a solid grounding with a few trials under his belt. He had two hitouts last August and September at Muswellbrook and Scone, and was beaten just on one length in another Muswellbrook trial last month in preparation for this. Aaron Bullock takes the ride and the small field should suit.

Dangers: 4. Takemine has only had three starts and has been just behind the placings in each of them, the latest at Gilgandra. She has the ability to be in the finish of this. 3. Magic Sorcerer has been placed in one of his four starts and resumes from a spell in this. He can show up without surprising. 2. Final Shadow has had one trial leading into this debut and can improve on that effort.

How to play it: Know Thyself WIN.

8. Smoke On The Water had looked good in a couple of trials before debuting with a hard fought victory at Gunnedah as favourite. He looks suited by the step up to 1200m here having won over 1000m at his only start, and Bullock sticks for this assignment.

Dangers: 2. Crop Duster has been racing well enough of late with placings at Muswellbrook and Coffs Harbour at his latest two starts. He’s drawn to get the run of the race in this. 3. Eagledge was placed on debut at Tamworth and then won at Dubbo before being spelled. He resumed with as solid effort at Scone when only beaten three lengths. 9. Canny Prospect had a string of three placings this campaign before breaking through with a maiden win at Dubbo last time out.

How to play it: Smoke On The Water WIN.

7. Corpsman won in maiden grade at Scone two starts back then finished second at Muswellbrook when battling on well. Ashley Morgan takes the ride on Corpsman and it will be his first ride on the filly.

Dangers: 8. Gypsy Mountain followed a Gilgandra win with a last start Tuncurry placing when beaten narrowly. 2. Double Scoop has been safely held in her most recent starts but can improve in this grade without surprising. 3. Grand Horizon has the services of Aaron Bullock and that is in her favour.

How to play it: Corpsman WIN.

1. Night Fighter was down the track on debut at Tamworth before showing improvement to break his maiden on the same track by a big margin at his second start. He since ran home well at Scone when finishing third at his only other start. The step up to 1400m looks ideal.

Dangers: 5. My Riviera did the job well to score at Tamworth on debut then backed that up with a strong second at Muswellbrook. She looks to have plenty of ability so must be respected again. 4. Hot Bandit has been just behind the placings in three starts since scoring at Scone. 11. Avoid Me was placed at Tuncurry last time out and is not the worst here.

How to play it: Night Fighter WIN.

2. Adagio is on debut and is in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable. He’s been given plenty of time to prepare for this and has had a good grounding with a number of trials. He’s had two recent trials at Canterbury and Randwick and while unplaced in each he wasn’t beaten far in either of them. He’s drawn wide but has the talent to make an impact.

Dangers: 3. Divine Note improved on his debut Tamworth effort when running home well for a close-up fourth at Scone at just his second start. He has upside and this well within his reach. 7. Time To Turn has the advantage of barrier one and could sneak into the placings. 11. Perri Lass finished 11th at Scone when resuming but was beaten less than 1.5 lengths and she should be given serious thought in this.

How to play it: Adagio WIN.

8. Cape Byron was just behind the placings in his first two starts then resumed at Wyong last month and hit the line powerfully to score a strong win. He has upside and can go on with the job in this.

Dangers: 7. Gardenzio led them up at Wyong last time out and fought on well enough to finish second at Wyong. That was on the back of a Kemba Grange second, and he only needs to run up to those efforts to be a winning chance here. 9. Lady Soames was a winner at Coffs Harbour two starts back then was midfield at Wyong. She’s shown enough talent in her career to be rated a great chance against these. 3. Auzstar hasn’t been beaten far in two runs back from a spell and could figure in the placings here.

How to play it: Cape Byron WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (1) Night Fighter.
Race 7 (8) Cape Byron.

Best Value:
Race 6 (2) Adagio.

All the entries, form and replays for Tuesday’s Newcastle meeting