By Gary Harley
Warwick Farm trainer Annabel Neasham has accepted with seven of her team for Saturday’s Newcastle Jockey Club race meeting.
Former Queenslander Tick Tock Boom ($9 on TAB) which resumes from a spell could be Neasham’s best chance at the meeting.
The 4yo will contest the Quantaco Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m), with 2kg-claiming apprentice Ellen Hennessy aboard.
Leading Queensland trainer David Van Dyke was Tick Tock Boom’s conditioner in the Sunshine state where the gelding had thirteen starts for a win and six placings. The horse was transferred to Neasham in November and has started twice for placings at Gosford and Wyong.
Tick Tock Boom came from well back to go down by a length at Gosford on December 23. He went for a spell after placing at Wyong on January 8.
The son of Queensland sire Spirit Of Boom trialled recently at Warwick Farm, and will appreciate the spacious Newcastle track with its long straight.
Neasham’s two-year-old I Am Invincible filly Jaameelati ($3.60) is on debut in the opening event, the Coastline Cleaning and Maintenance Maiden Handicap (900m) and she has impressed in two recent trials, while Neasham’s colt Makalu ($2 favourite) will be a short- priced favourite in the Utopia Gaming Systems Maiden Plate (1200m). He is on debut, however, may run at Hawkesbury, where he has also accepted.
Three-year-old filly Californiasilencer ($2.40 fav) is set to break through for her first win in the Impact Building Maiden Plate (1200m). Californiasilencer, from the Snowden stable has been placed in three of her six starts including a second on this track. She was placed at Warwick Farm last start.
David Payne’s 3yo Caboteur ($3.20 fav), enjoying a good preparation, has bright prospects in the Start At Bottlemart Class 1 And Maiden Plate (2300m).
The son of boom sire So You Think was runner-up at Canterbury last start on a heavy track. He was a winner on a heavy track at Wyong before Christmas and he is well placed here.
Whodat ($4.20), unbeaten in two Newcastle starts, could give Ashley Morgan his 100th winner for the season in the Ausure Hospitality Benchmark 68 Handicap (1850m).
Prior to Friday’s Muswellbrook meeting, Morgan was on 99 winners for the season and if the Welshman does not ride a winner at Muswellbrook, Saturday could be the day.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here