Feature racing heads north of Sydney this Saturday to Newcastle and there we have a sensational card of racing ahead of us.
Our full 2021 The Hunter Day Tips & Preview can be read below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1 – 12:20pm – Max Lees Classic (900m)
No. 4 Vancouver’s Crown
I was super impressed with the trial of Vancouver’s Crown leading into his racing debut on Saturday.
He cruised up to the other horses and had them covered a long way from home and he looks a talented young colt to my eye.
Race 2 – 12:55pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap (2500m)
No. 2 Ma And Pa
Ma And Pa has now won all four of his starts so far this prep and he has made sharp improvements at each of his runs.
The lightly raced four year old gelding is by Redoute’s Choice out of the multiple Group 1 winner Dear Demi and is clearly a very progressive type of horse.
Chris Waller keeps him in the same grade of race that he won last start and although he will be asked to carry 3kg more, he still looks tough to beat.
Race 3 – 1:30pm – Highway Handicap (1300m)
No. 5 Casino Kid
Casino Kid has tackled these Highway races in both his runs back this prep and has been far from disgraced.
He came from near last to run fifth last time out and he will appreciate the step up in distance the 3kg claim from the apprentice for this assignment.
Race 4 – 2:05pm – Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m)
No. 8 Cream Rises
John Singleton has another extremely well bred horse in the fourth event of the afternoon at Newcastle.
Cream Rises is by Fastnet Rock out of More Strawberries who won the Tibbie Stakes here at Newcastle as well as finishing third in the Golden Slipper as a two year old.
The four year old gelding finished within three lengths of the winner in The Four Pillars two weeks ago and looks well placed in this event.
Race 5 – 2:40pm – Benchmark 88 Handicap (1850m)
No. 1 Love Tap
This is a very competitive benchmark 88 with some very in form horses.
Love Tap has managed five wins from 10 career race starts to date and was an impressive winner at Kembla Grange three starts back.
He followed that win with a fourth in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes and was beaten just under four lengths in the Golden Eagle last start.
That form is good enough to be winning this.
Race 6 – 3:20pm – The Beauford (2300m)
No. 4 King’s Charisma
I have a big query on a few of these at the top of the weights running out a strong 2300m but not so about the Australian Bloodstock import King’s Charisma.
He finished less than four lengths behind Great House at Flemington over 2500m last start at Group 3 level and he looks ready to peak at his fourth run this prep.
Drawn well and well weighted.
Race 7 – 4:00pm – Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m)
No. 10 Festival Dancer
A lot of inexperienced and unproven three year-old’s line up in the Group 3 Spring Stakes and I’m happy to be on a horse that is progressive and on the rise.
It’s been a long prep for Festival Dancer but she has continued to improve all the way through and has managed to win her last three in a row leading into this.
She was dominant when winning by 5.5 lengths at Goulburn last start and fitness will not be an issue.
Race 8 – 4:40pm – The Hunter (1600m)
No. 2 Top Ranked
Top Ranked will make her Australian racing debut in The Hunter and the grey mare will be looking to make it seven wins from 13 career race starts.
The lightly raced six year old mare has a Group 1 placing behind Palace Pier to her name and although this is short of her ideal distance, she looks well placed.
Annabel Neasham. James Mcdonald steering from barrier seven. Australian Bloodstock on their home track.
Everything looks set up for her.
Race 9 – 5:20pm – Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m)
No. 8 Pappali
Pappali has been racing well throughout this prep and was excellent when finishing second behind the smart Ma And Pa at Rosehill last start.
The four year old mare should be plenty fit for this event and has drawn barrier two with Jason Collett in the saddle.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Benchmark 88 Handicap (1300m)
Boxed Tri 3/5/6/8/12
