Track Soft 5 and rail out 2m.
RACE 1
2. Monte Braveheart is a tough and still improving four-year-old coming back in distance 12 days between runs, with blinkers replacing winkers. Hit the line first-up at Kembla before being shuffled back and not getting much room on the course proper here in Saturday company when he should have finished closer. A more experienced rider goes on. 6. Tasoraay is likely to jump an odds-on favorite and naturally is the clear threat, having been close-up in tougher metro fields, but still looms under the odds. 5. Rockbarton Flash is down in weight from a softer draw. Gap to the rest, headed by 3. The Bentley, resuming off an eight-week break.
How to play it: Monte Braveheart to win.
Racing returns to Newcastle on Thursday, on the Beaumont track.Credit: Getty
RACE 2
4. Kotaishi hasn’t been far away in his last few and is well placed here from this low draw and coming back 150m in trip. Led for a long way against tougher metro opposition two starts back, then ran home fairly as a well-backed favourite on the course proper here when not in the best part of the track. 5. Rickythesteamboat is second-up in a weaker race off a fast-finishing effort at Warwick Farm. 10. Reasonable is a well-drawn stablemate of the top selection and was close-up in similar company at Hawkesbury. 2. Indiamo held his ground at Hawkesbury when well-tried in the market, and was scratched from an easier race at Orange on Monday to be saved for this. 9. Network Error is over the odds third-up.
How to play it: Kotaishi to win.
RACE 3
2. Prosperous Dragon is a provincial-based four-year-old by Russian Revolution primed to make a statement on debut. Taken along slowly at the trials, he won the second of the two most recent in smart fashion over 1000m on the course proper here. 3. Cold Brew, by Pierro, debuts after being strong through the line when he won the second of two trials. 1. Monty The Missile was an easing favourite when fading late first-up at Warwick Farm. He’s fitter now, but may still need one run under this weight from a wide draw. Another first starter, 4. Graysville, by Alabama Express, is the best of the rest.
How to play it: Prosperous Dragon to win.
RACE 4
4. Hunter Bred can snap a long wait for a fifth career win at his 33rd start in an open distance battle for older gallopers. Has been up for a long time, but finished less than two lengths from the winner in his past three, including deeper metro BM 64s and at Wyong eight days ago when he attacked the line late. Drawn to get nice cover just off the speed. 2. Jack Duggan is honest, rising in weight but back significantly in class from a metro BM 78 where he was beaten under three lengths. 3. Gulf Of Tomini is well in at the weights with a 3kg claim after running home in the Golden Mile at Tuncurry. 5. Just Boogie, off a last-start win, and 6. Overice, down in grade, can both add value to trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Hunter Bred to win.
