Feature racing heads provincial this weekend and we’re off to Newcastle for The Hunter!
In its brief existence, The Hunter has already become a major target for some of the country’s biggest stables, and past winners include the likes of Savatiano and Lost And Running.
You can find my tip for that race and my remaining Newcastle tips below.
Race 1 - 12:35pm AEDT
Max Lees Classic (900m)
There is no form to study ahead of this year’s Max Lees Classic – all eight acceptors are on debut.
I’m sure something of note will come out of this race, but I am happy to stay out it from a betting perspective.
No Bet
Race 2 - 1:10pm AEDT
Bella Group Midway Handicap (1600m)
Pireaus has been on the improve with each run back this time and rates as a key winning chance in the Midway.
The son of Merchant Navy dusted off the cobwebs with a fair effort in BM72 company in his first run back, but has since filled the minors in races at Rosehill, including the Four Pillars last time out.
He’s fit, this is a weaker race, and getting out to the mile looks ideal at this point of his preparation.
2 Units Pireaus
Race 3 - 1:45pm AEDT
Highway Handicap (1600m)
Cable Express takes winning form into this week’s Highway Handicap and looks a key winning chance once more.
The Cable Bay gelding finished fourth, beaten just over two lengths in BM66 company first-up this time before poking home to just get there in a Highway race at Randwick last time out.
He strips fitter for that effort, and this is no harder.
2 Units Cable Express
Race 4 - 2:20pm AEDT
NZB Lauren Parker Legend Mile (1600m)
For Victory is second up and primed to strike on The Hunter Day.
The Mehmas gelding turned in some fine performances last time in, winning a couple of nice BM72 and BM78 races, while his first run back this time was better than the fifth placing suggested.
He’s yet to miss placing at this point of his preparation and he’s drawn to receive a lovely run from an inside alley.
3 Units For Victory
Race 5 - 2:55pm AEDT
Seed People Consulting (1400m)
I’m happy to give Terrestar another chance when she steps out at Newcastle on Saturday.
Terrestar finished down the order in the Angst Stakes at Group 3 level last time out, but her form prior to that was promising, and included a near miss in BM78 company in Sydney.
There’s no doubting her fitness this week, while the drop in class and the drop in trip should prove beneficial.
2 Units Terrestar
Race 6 - 3:30pm AEDT
Alf Keenbone Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m)
Floating is another galloper that I thought could bounce back on The Hunter Day.
The Puissance De Lune gelding recorded an eye-catching win at Randwick in September before chasing home an impressive St Lawrence on Epsom Handicap Day.
He was a month between starts into the Big Dance last time out and simply got too far back that day, but I’m confident the run will have brought him right back on.
2 Units Floating
Race 7 - 4:05pm AEDT
Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m)
This is a good edition of the Spring Stakes with a case to be built for a few of them, and I thought that French Ruler looked well placed to be in the finish.
French Ruler has only made three appearances at the races since debuting, but broke his maiden here first-up this time before only just missing down at Randwick last time out.
Fitter third-up, back to three-year-olds company and out in trip, I think he gets a lot of ticks.
2 Units E/W French Ruler
Race 8 - 4:45pm AEDT
Group 2 The Hunter (1300m)
With $1 million going on the line again, The Hunter has been elevated to Group 2 status in 2024, but the same calibre of field is engaged – good and open.
Coal Crusher won the race in 2023, and I’m going to be with him in his bid for a successful defence on Saturday.
The Turffontein gelding hasn’t actually recorded another win since that day, but he has produced plenty of strong efforts in good races since, including a near miss behind Overpass in the lucrative Sydney Stakes on The Everest Day.
He didn’t beat a runner home in the Russell Balding Stakes last time out, but the run was too bad to be true, and he know he’ll relish the conditions up here in Newcastle.
1 Unit E/W Coal Crusher
Race 9 - 5:20pm AEDT
Listed The New Zealand Bloodstock Beauford (2300m)
Plenty of your usual suspects have been drawn to this week’s staying feature including Wyclif, who I have put on top.
Wyclif has been up and racing for some time now, but he has continued to produce strong performances in races not dissimilar to this one and has finished second in four of his last five starts.
There’s obviously no questioning his fitness, 2300m suits and this is probably the weakest race he’s contested for a couple of months.
2 Units Wyclif
Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT
Ausure Insurance Newcastle (1300m)
This is a drop in class for the second up Flying Crazy and he’s open to plenty of improvement.
Flying Crazy hasn’t won a race for a short while, but he did turn in some fine efforts during his autumn and winter prep this year, and he was just too far back to figure in the Russell Balding Stakes fresh from a break.
He’s a winner at this point of his preparation previously, and he’s drawn ideally in barrier 5.
2 Units Flying Crazy