Some of the world’s best sprinters will descend on Flemington’s famous ‘Straight Six’ on Saturday for the 2023 Newmarket Handicap.
Won by countless stars of the turf throughout its storied existence, the Newmarket Handicap has also almost always been a terrific betting race, and this year’s edition doesn’t look like being any exception.
I’ve run the rule over the field of sixteen, and you can find my complete 2023 Newmarket Handicap Tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 5 Units straight out #3 I Wish I Win
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
Newmarket Handicap – Winner
He has hardly put a hoof wrong since arriving in Australia and indeed, at any point of his career, but I Wish I Win’s first-up run in the Black Caviar Lightning suggested that perhaps, he has returned to the races an even better horse this time.
The Savabeel gelding stormed onto the Australian scene during his recent spring preparation, winning his first two starts in incredible fashion and ultimately peaking with a win in The Golden Eagle.
He couldn’t have done a lot more in the Black Caviar Lightning without winning, and he’ll only be better second up and out to 1200m this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 I Wish I Win
Newmarket Handicap – 2nd
Another horse that I have grown a large love for is Lofty Strike.
The well-bred colt was unlucky not to take his place in last year’s Neds Blue Diamond after being forced back into the paddock with injury, and he was a consistent performer through three spring starts.
He fresh performance and win in the Rubiton Stakes this time in was franked when he finished second in the Oakleigh Plate last time out, and I am keen to see him third-up and back to the straight in the Newmarket Handicap.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Lofty Strike
Newmarket Handicap – 3rd
He could be the best fresh horse in the country, and I am expecting a huge first-up effort from Group 1 winner Private Eye in the Newmarket Handicap.
Private Eye ended a fair winter preparation last year an eye-catching second behind Alligator Blood in the Stradbroke Handicap, and returned to the races with an utterly dominant win in the Gilgai Stakes over this route in October.
He subsequently finished second in The Everest, won the lucrative Winners Stakes at Rosehill a fortnight later, and he’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to this weekend’s return.
The $7 about him in Newmarket Handicap betting at publish could prove to be huge overs.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Private Eye
Newmarket Handicap – 4th
Prior to the Black Caviar Lightning, I was of the opinion that Bella Nipotina could just be a specialist at The Valley, but that has changed.
The Pride Of Dubai mare has been a great horse in featured company since her two-year-old season, but she finally recognised her Group 1 potential with an utterly dominant win in the Manikato Stakes last October.
She let down with a big turn of foot to finish third, beaten half a length by Coolangatta in the Black Caviar Lightning, and she’s another horse that will only be better second-up and out to 1200m.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Bella Nipotina