The Hunter Day delivers another fantastic Saturday of racing in Newcastle, headlined by the $1 million The Hunter over 1300m, one of the biggest races on the NSW provincial racing calendar.
The feature has attracted a quality line-up, with King Of Roseau, General Salute, and Infancy among the contenders, while the Group 3 Spring Stakes and Listed The Beauford provide plenty of additional interest.
You can find this week’s Newcastle tip sheet below.
By I Am Invincible, Stellar Ami stamped herself as one to watch with a dominant trial performance over 800m at Warwick Farm last month, and this looks a perfect career launchpad.
| 11. Stellar Ami (9) 54.5kg | |||
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott trained two-year-old filly lining up for first race start. Easy trial winner at Warwick Farm recently. Looks ready to make an immediate impact. | |||
Agent Zero returned to action to fill the minors behind True To Form over 1400m at Randwick-Kensington, beaten just over a length, while he took plenty of improvement into a winning performance over 1500m on the main Randwick track on Golden Eagle Day. Another rise in trip looks to suit at this point of his preparation, and he’s open to further improvement.
| 3. Agent Zero (4) 55kg18×31 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 7 in a Cg&E Bm78 at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1400m, slow going 1.2 len behind True To Form with 56kg at $4.80. Last start ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len in a 3&4yo Bm78 at Randwick on October 31 over 1500m defeating Donatello with 58kg at $5. Should relish the extra trip and can salute again. | |||
She’s only made three appearances since debuting, but after only just being denied over 1280m at Muswellbrook last month, Imela has since recorded consecutive victories in maiden and Class 1 company. This is another decent rise in class, but she’s proven at the track and distance and still has upside, and something like this doesn’t look beyond her.
| 9. Imelda (13) 55.5kg211 | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently favourite; won by 0.7 len in a Cl1 at this track on October 31 over 1600m defeating Italian Spirit with 57.5kg at $1.70. The run before that favourite; won by 3.5 len in a Mdn at Muswellbrook on October 19 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Sheer Shame carrying 58kg at $1.09. Continues to make progress and is a genuine chance again. | |||
Having been freshened after only just missing in Midway company at Randwick in early October, Cabbucio returned to action at Randwick on The Big Dance Day to finish second behind an impressive All Star. I’m confident that run will have brought her right back on, while she’s drawn to receive the run of the race from barrier 5 with only 55kgs in tow.
| 10. Cabbucio (5) 55kgx2232 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently 2nd of 10 in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on November 3 over 1800m, 1.0 len behind All Star carrying 52.5kg at $3.60. Before that 3rd of 12 in a Midway Bm72 at Randwick on October 3 over 1800m, on a slow track; long-neck behind Philatelic with 51kg at $9.50. Can improve again. Rock hard fit and is bursting to win. | |||
Amreekiyah was often the bane of punters’ existence last time in, well placed and well backed multiple times without quite managing to strike, but she justified a good go in the market in BM78 company at Warwick Farm when resuming this time. A winner at this point of her preparation previously, she’s been kept nice and fresh and won her only other start here at Newcastle.
| 3. Amreekiyah (8) 58kg735×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months won by 0.6 len in a Bm78 at Warwick Farm on October 21 over 1400m defeating Verbil carrying 57kg at $2.90. Previously second-up 6th of 11 in a Bm72 at Warwick Farm on December 17 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Pretty Powerful carrying 57.5kg at $2.30. Has won second up in the past and although up in grade is capable of building on that record. | |||
Love Story debuted with a fine performance to only just miss in maiden company at Warwick Farm back in September, while she is since unbeaten in a couple of midweek metro contests, the latter a talent-rich BM72 contest over 1400m. With natural improvement, something like this looks the next logical target for her.
| 8. Love Story (8) 57kg211 | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run favourite; won by 2.25 len in a F&M Bm72 at Warwick Farm on October 28 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Live carrying 58kg at $1.26. Before that favourite; won by 3 len in a Mdn-Sw at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Iminastate with 57kg at $1.45. Biggest test to date but she has been impressive. | |||
Horologist was only just denied in a couple of maiden sprints at Canterbury during his brief debut preparation, but after trialling up well last month, he hit the ground running this time with an easy victory over 1400m at Warwick Farm. By Written Tycoon and out of the multiple Group 1 winner In Her Time, he’s regally bred and can further add to his pedigree by winning this race.
| 3. Horologist (7) 56.5kg23×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months ran on from midfield and won by 1.75 len in a Super 3yo+ MDN-Sw at Warwick Farm on October 28 over 1400m on a rain affected track defeating Master Chief with 56.5kg at $6. Previously second-up 3rd of 7 in a 2yo 0Sc at Canterbury on July 8 over 1200m, on heavy track; 0.6 len behind Hostwin King carrying 57.5kg at $8.50. Loads of room for improvement so this is not out of reach. | |||
Having only just been denied in this race last year, Accredited has continued to turn in strong performances in black type company, and he returned to action on The Big Dance Day to fill the minors behind a fit Polyglot in BM100 company. His second up record is excellent, he’s down in the weights and has options in the run from the rails draw.
| 9. Accredited (1) 53.5kgx77x3 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 3rd of 8 in a Choisir Bm100 at Randwick on November 3 over 1100m, 1.5 len behind Polyglot carrying 60.5kg at $11. Previously second-up 7th of 12 in the LR Winter Stakes at Rosehill on July 4 over 1400m, slow going 3 len behind General Salute with 57.5kg at $8.50. Fitter and won’t spend a cent from the inside alley so worth following. | |||
Having returned to winning form with an easy performance over 2000m at Hawkesbury last month, Savvy Spy has only improved as the bar has been raised, winning over a mile and a half at the midweeks before getting up again at Rosehill last Saturday. I completely understand the decision to back up into what looks an open and winnable black type race, and it’s very hard to argue with his recent form and condition heading into this contest.
| 8. Savvy Spy (4) 53kg73111 | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; won by 1.2 len in a Bm78 at Rosehill on November 7 over 2400m defeating Saint Emilion with 55.5kg at $2.30. The start before that favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 1.4 len in a Bm78 at Warwick Farm on October 28 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Criteria with 54kg at $2.25. Love an in-form Gai and Adrian stayer with nothing on its back. | |||
She was outclassed and below her best when finishing down the order I the Group 3 Begonia Belle on Derby Day last time out, but Eagle Express’ form prior to that was good and consistent, and included a strong victory at this grade at Rosehill most notably. In peak order, this looks a far for suitable task and she’s down in the weights under in-form apprentice, Siena Grima.
| 15. Eagle Express (1) 52.5kgx1240 | |||
| Most recently 12th of 16 in the G3 Begonia Belle Stakes at Flemington on October 31 over 1100m, 7 len behind Flying For Fun with 55kg at $31. The race before that 4th of 9 in the LR Alinghi Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Gentle Steel carrying 57kg at $10. Well placed. Better than that last run suggests and this looks a lovely assignment. | |||
Best – Race 4 No. 10 Cabbicio
Next Best – Race 9 No. 8 Savvy Spy
Value – Race 8 No. 9 Accredited