3 minute read

Chris Scholtz previews The Hunter meeting at Newcastle with selections for all races plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

NEWCASTLE November 13

Best Bets

RACE 3: (6) CASINO KID: His two starts since resuming in Highways over 1100m and 1200m at Randwick and Rosehill have set him up perfectly for this C3 as he will relish the extra trip on this spacious circuit with the advantage of a 3kg claim. He's a winner up to 1600m and the way he has found the line from wide gates, posting excellent sectionals, in both recent starts says he is ready to add to that record. His strong record on affected tracks boosts his chances.

RACE 5 (3) MIGHTYBEEL: Multiple Waller runners always cloud the issue but this consistent gelding must be hard to beat if he holds his recent form. Recorded back to back wins over 1900m and 1800m at Rosehill and Randwick Kensington under big weights before he gave away too much start to his stablemate Lord Ardmore when second over 1900m at Rosehill on October 30 when he carried 59.5kg and conceded 2kg to the winner. Weight favour him this time as he meets that horse 1.5kg better and the return of James MacDonald as his rider is a big bonus – the last time they teamed up Mightybeel won by almost four lengths at Rosehill.

RACE 10: (12) Katalin

For Value

RACE 6: (6) Torrens

RACE 7: (4) Arnaqueur

RACE 8: (11) Prime Candidate

RACE 9 (7) GRANDE RUMORE: Expecting a big turnaround in form from this imported mare on her home track. She's going better than her three runs since resuming indicate and the way she sprinted home from last to win a 1000m trial at this course on October 27 indicates that a month break between starts has worked a treat. She's only had five starts in Australia and showed her talent last prep when she won first-up on a soft track at Canterbury. That's the only time Hugh Bowman has ridden the mare and it's significant he gets the recall for this suitable event.

RACE 1: 4-9-5-3

RACE 2: 10-2-6-1

RACE 3: 5-8-2-13

RACE 4: 4-8-11-13

RACE 5: 3-1-4-2

RACE 6: 6-1-8-3

RACE 7: 4-10-3-6

RACE 8: 11-16-8-5

RACE 9: 7-3-11-10

RACE 10: 12-6-15-11

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

Noted Trial Runners –

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Vancouver's Crown (R1); Matisse's Comet (R1); Uncorked (R1); Gem Song (R8); Countofmontecristo (R8); Grande Rumore (R9); Grand Piano (R10)

KEMBLA GRANGE SATURDAY: Petulant (R1); Quatenus (R2); Canbya (R4)

SCONE MONDAY: La Brea (R5); Nor Izatti (R5); Alegna (R6)  

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Strange Charm; Jet Pack; Viennoiserie; I Love Lucy; Blaze A Trail; Lackeen; Southern Lad; Comrade Rosa; Easy Rosie; Authentic Jewel; Captivare; Katalin; Black Duke; Rubamos; Zarastro; Send Me A Legend; Mazu; Buzz 'N' Joe; Dehorned Unicorn; Bella Rouge.

TRIAL POINTERS

WARWICK FARM November 3: In the 2YO heats over 805m the Vancouver colt VANCOUVER'S CROWN showed talent to win his heat (47.61; 33.92) as he  sat three deep under a hold from the start and was doing best at the finish under no pressure. He's a strong colt with a good action.

ROSEHILL October 22: Unraced Starspangledbanner filly PETULANT is now unbeaten in two trials, having been given plenty of time since her first trial win at Warwick Farm in May. She's a natural talent as she had no trouble leading her 900m heat under restraint and always had the measure of the chasers, easily extending over the last 200m with plenty in hand (53.64; 34.15).

BLACKBOOK REPORT

Eligible Blackbook Runners – November13

NEWCASTLE SATURDAY: Gravina (R10); Kinloch (R10)

CRANBOURNE SATURDAY: April Rain (R5)

DOOMBEN SATURDAY: Mr Wong (R4); Scottish Mist (R4) 

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Ligulate; Spirit Of Gaylard; Superstorm; Vianello; Minhaaj; I'm Thunderstruck; Elusive Express; Montefilia; Belluci Babe; Shihonka; High Supremacy; Kiss The Bride; She's Ideel; Atishu; Yearning; Hitotsu; Love Tap; Mr Mozart; Animate; Entriviere.

Blackbookers – Selected November 6

(Follow for next 3 starts)

CARDINAL GEM: Should find a suitable race.

FIVE KINGDOM: No luck. Suited midweek.

KINLOCH: Ready to step up in distance.

MR CANCUN: Primed for a drop in class.

SIZZLING CAT: Capable of a city win.

SWATS THAT: Super effort chasing champion sprinter.

WELSH LEGEND: Good summer prospects.