Feature racing goes provincial on Saturday, and The Hunter headlines an exciting ten-race program in Newcastle.
The rail will remain in the True position around the entire course and at publish, were faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.
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Race 1 – 12:20pm – Max Lees Classic, (900m)
Just three of the twelve confirmed starters in the first on Cranbourne Cup Day have previous raceday experience.
There is simply too much that can happen in races like this one for my liking, and I am happy to stay out.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Te Akau NZ-Australia-Singapore BM78 Handicap, (1600m)
Ma And Pa has recorded four wins from as many starts this time and shapes as the runner to beat again in Race 2 on The Hunter Day.
Ma And Pa broke his maiden with ease at Hawkesbury when resuming, and he has improved noticeably with each start and as the bar has been raised.
He’s rock-hard fit and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Highway Handicap, (1300m)
Ceasefire can return to winning form in this week’s Highway race.
The Paul Messara-trained gelding was very disappointing when only managing to beat a couple of rivals home in The Kosciuszko two starts back, but he returned a far nicer effort to only just miss in a similar contest to this at Rosehill.
He steps out fourth-up on Saturday and the $5 about him at publish looks quite juicy.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Sage Painting Midway BM72 Handicap, (1600m)
This week’s Midway Handicap is a typically open affair, but I do think that the in-form Kerry Parker stable is a live chance of saddling the winner with Tampering.
Tampering has been a consistent performer throughout his career, and began his current prep with consecutive wins at Kembla Grange and Randwick.
He returned from a freshen-up to finish fifth in The Four Pillars a fortnight ago and I am confident that run will have brought him right back on.
We can have an each-way play at around the $8 mark.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Trophy BM88 Handicap, (1850m)
He ran home well to finish second last time, and I really don’t see a reason why we should jump off Mightybeel when he steps out on The Hunter Day.
Mightybeel has been a great horse for the Waller yard this time, and he recorded consecutive victories in metro company before running second to Lord Ardmore last time.
He’s rock-hard fit, drawn a peach and is my best bet of the afternoon under James McDonald.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – Visit Karaka 2022 ‘The Beauford’, (2300m)
Shared Ambition can return to winning form this weekend.
He hasn’t won since February, but Shared Ambition has typically contested tougher races than this one throughout his preparation, and finished second behind Think It Over in the Hill Stakes most notably.
That form has well and truly been franked and the rise in trip looks ideal at this point of his preparation.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Group 3 Spring Stakes, (1600m)
This is a wide-open edition of the Spring Stakes, and while he does remain a maiden, I’m actually confident that Loch Eagle can run a big race.
Loch Eagle stamped himself as a runner to follow with a nice effort for second on debut at Hawkesbury, and he kept all of his best work for late when a head second behind I Am Lethal at Randwick last time.
Fitter third-up from the good draw and under James McDonald, I think he’ll be right in the finish at around the $10 mark.
Race 8 – 4.40pm – The Hunter, (1300m)
Anything close to his best will see Lost And Running extremely difficult to beat in The Hunter.
Lost And Running booked a ticket to The Everest following an impressive autumn campaign this year, and while he did require a couple of tune up when resuming in spring, his run for fourth in the $15 million feature proved that he is certainly up to the class.
He steps out on Saturday following a strong second placing behind Eduardo in the Classique Legend Stakes, and there is obviously not a horse of that ability engaged here.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – PFD Food Services BM78 Handicap, (1400m)
Miss Einstein hasn’t been seen at the races since July, but she boasts good fresh form, and I think that she can run a cheeky race this week at a price ($15 at publish).
The Dundeel mare returned several typically pleasing performances during her last prep, winning in BM72 company most notably.
She’s had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to her return and she rarely races poorly.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Hunter Valley Premium Meats BM88 Handicap, (1300m)
Certainly not the easiest way to end The Hunter Day from a betting perspective, but this is a drop in class for Edit, and I think he can win.
Edit won the Spring Cup at Tamworth when resuming, and was beaten just over a length when fourth in The Kosciuszko.
He was a little out of his depth in the Classique Legend Stakes last time, but this does look a far more appropriate race for him.
