Feature racing in NSW heads north to the Hunter region with nine quality races in store for punters at Newcastle.
The Hunter Cup is the feature event of the day and is worth a cool $1 million in prize money.
Here is our full preview and tips for the card.
This lightly raced five year old gelding couldn’t have been more impressive winning a Benchmark 70 at Canterbury over 1900m by 4.3 lengths earlier in his prep. His first go at 2400m at Listed level didn’t go to plan but I think the drop back in class and distance here will see him tough to beat.
Meydan Lass has been scratched so I’m happy to be with the stablemate in Zeftabrook who had beaten that horse home in his only two trials leading into his debut race.
Axella was only fair first up at the Gold Coast however a performance like that when he won at Ipswich back in April would see him winning a race like thsi one. Matt Dunn loves these Highway races and the Stratum mare should appreciate the step up to the 1400m second up.
I think there are a couple at the top at the markets that are too short so I’m taking them on.
Bellaria has been racing in much better company than this race and will appreciate the step back in grade. Drawn well which will help.
Miss Redoble is a progressing type of mare who has won six of her 19 race starts. She was not beaten far at Listed level last time out behind Cellarman at Hawkesbury. Over the odds.
Donandkim couldn’t have been more impressive at his last two starts and although this is a big step in grade for him I think he is over the odds.
Indy Car did not get it all his own way behind Rule The World last time out at Rosehill and he the Sebring gelding looks like he will relish the step up to 1600m.
There is plenty of quality in this race however it does look the perfect race for the favourite Graff. I have really liked the prep so far from this horse and although he has not been quite up to the top line sprinters, I think he has been far from disgraced. I think the 1300m suits him better than the sprint distances and he trialed really nicely in between runs.
You Make Me Smile makes his own luck right on the speed and if Kathy O’Hara can dictate terms in front and give him some cheap sectionals he is right in the race at nice odds. This is his level having previously been outclassed at Group level and I loved that his runs have been spaced and his trial in between runs was superb. Great each way bet.
This lightly raced six year old gelding has his second start this prep having run second to Ranier over 1400m back in late September. He seems to produce his best efforts when fresh and a repeat of his first up run would see him be right in the finish here.
Testifier has won three of his four race starts to date and he could almost be unbeaten after he had absolutely no luck first up at Randwick. He is being asked to carry the big weight in this but with even luck he should be winning in my opinion.