Selections based on a good track.
Race 1
1. Alaskan Bay is a Pariah gelding making his debut here after being scratched at the barriers at his planned first start at Tuncurry. He had finished second in a Port Macquarie trial before that with Anna Roper in the saddle, and she sticks with the galloper here. Alaskan Bay has drawn the inside gate and should get every chance from there. 6. Whil To Win has had two starts either side of a spell, and while she’s been down the track in each of them, she should find this an easier assignment. 2. Mariko is on debut after three trials, the last of them since joining the new stable. He ran second in a Newcastle hit-out two weeks ago and is primed to run well. 3. Sammy The Bull ran sixth at this track on debut and can improve on that performance without surprising.
How to play it: Alaskan Bay to win.
Racing returns to Newcastle on Tuesday.
Race 2
10. Logan Downs is a son of well-performed mare Serene Miss and is on debut here having had five recent trials. He has finished second at Scone and fourth at Muswellbrook in the last two and looks to have the ability to run well. 13. Lobbyist is also on debut and was beaten less than a length in her last trial at Gosford. Expect her to figure prominently. 1. Cogitare is first up from a spell after two trials and has been placed in one of his three starts. 8. Sara’s Rocket is a stablemate of Cogitare that is having her first start, and she ran second in her latest barrier trial.
How to play it: Logan Downs to win.
Race 3
1. El Toro Macho makes his debut here after two recent trials in which he’s finished third. He had two trials in April as well and ran third in both. He’s primed for his first start here and is ready to perform well. 2. Lightning Glory is another on debut and won a Wyong trial before finishing a close-up second in the latest of them at this track. He can give a sight against these. 8. Aweigh resumes from a spell in this after two recent Rosehill trial placings and can be thereabouts, while 4. Coyote is also resuming, and a strong first-up effort is expected for the new stable.
How to play it: El Toro Macho to win.
Race 4
1. Power Of The Brave is a handy performer resuming from a spell on the back of a fourth in his latest trial at this track. He’s won four from 22 with another seven placings and had been tackling city races before the break. 2. No Statement scored at this track four starts ago before a close second at Warwick Farm. He’s finished seventh in both runs since. 4. Markwell Dreamer was placed at Tamworth two starts ago and has claims on that effort, while 3. Princess Cruizer bobs up every now and again and should not be underestimated.
How to play it: Power Of The Brave to win.