Newcastle Best Bets – Thursday, August 13

Newcastle Best Bets – Thursday, August 13

Continue your week with our Thursday best bets at Newcastle, highlighting the key runners to help you find an edge!

Newcastle: Race 3 – Class 1 Handicap (900m)
No. 1 Argyros

ARGYROS (1) is back on the scene for Adam Duggan as he looks to pick up where he left off last campaign. 

The son to D’Argento won by three lengths on debut at Taree, then heading to Port Macquarie where he was far from disgraced settling for fourth up on the speed. 

He’s clearly got some potential and a decent turn of foot, so if he handles the dry track, he’ll be hard to beat. 

Newcastle R3 – Moonshadow TQC Cruises Hcp (C1)
Open Race time: 
1. Argyros (3)
J: Rory Hutchings 58.5kg
14xT: Adam Duggan
Resuming after a ten months break. Finished off last preparation fourth of 8 at Port Macquarie Ctry Cl1 October 11 over 1000m, 1.2 len behind Confederate Lady with 59kg at $3.30. At his first start to post a big 3 len win. Taree Mdn-Sw September 23 over 1007m slow track defeating Bonjour Bill carrying 59kg at $4.80. Expecting a solid return with the two trials and blinkers going on.
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 13/08/2026 07:01:58 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
Newcastle: Race 5 – Maiden Plate (1250m)
No. 5 Avon Calling
Tip of The Day

AVON CALLING (5) has gone up short odds in search of her maiden win. 

She went incredibly close to scoring at Illawarra Grange two weeks ago, caught three-wide at one point but sticking on well to run a narrow second. 

This isn’t much tougher up slightly in trip and it’s clear she’ll appreciate another dry track. 

Newcastle R5 – The Port Stephens Examiner Mdn Plate
Open Race time: 
5. Avon Calling (3)
J: Chad Schofield 57kg
37×32T: Brad Widdup
Third-up today. First-up got back early 3rd in a small field at Gosford F&M Mdn-Sw on July 9 over 1100m, in the wet; 2.5 len behind Tigroni with 55kg at $11. Second run from a spell made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Illawarra Grange 3yo Mdn-Sw on July 30 over 1150m, head behind Isawyou carrying 55kg at $6. Rates highly. Looks ready to go one better.
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 13/08/2026 07:01:58 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
Newcastle: Race 7 – BM64 Handicap (1250m)
No. 9 Call Me Sassy

CALL ME SASSY (9) is another mare knocking on the door for David Pfieffer and connections. 

The Zoustar five-year-old has found the money in four of her five starts this time in work, peeling out wide at Kembla Grange last start to run on strongly for third. 

She’s got a key fitness edge over a few of her rivals in this contest and just needs to find early cover from a sticky gate. 

Newcastle R7 – Destination Port Stephens Cup Hcp (Bm64)
Open Race time: 
9. Call Me Sassy (12) Scratched:
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 13/08/2026 07:01:59 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
Newcastle: Race 8 – BM64 Handicap (1600m)
No. 8 Uncle Harry

UNCLE HARRY (8) finds it tough to win but his best is good enough to compete in an open race like this over the mile. 

Paul Perry’s gelding has shown improvement over his last two starts at Wyong, finishing fourth on both occasions as he gets out over further. 

He’s at peak fitness now with three runs under his belt and notably draws an inside gate for the first time in a while. 

Newcastle R8 – The Prince Of Merewether Provincial Hcp (Bm64)
Open Race time: 
8. Uncle Harry (2)
J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58kg
6×944T: Paul Perry
Recent form sound. At the latest run 4th of 10 at Wyong Cond Bm68 on August 2 over 1300m, 1.1 len behind Cuban Cigar carrying 54.5kg at $26. The start before that 4th of 12 at Wyong Bm64 on July 23 over 1200m, slow going 2 len behind Condone carrying 58kg at $51. Fitter now and can do much better.
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.neds.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 13/08/2026 07:01:59 AM (Australia/Brisbane)