By Ray Hickson
Selections based on a soft track.
Race 1
3. Offenbach resumes as a gelding and he was narrowly beaten by Blitzburg over this course on debut. Found the line pretty well in his latest trial, drawn to get a nice trail and should handle some give in the track. 7. Lipstick made her debut back in December and ran a safely held third behind Tempted, which has proven to be strong form. Did the job well in the latest trial and is one to keep safe. 2. Impact Zone started a solid favourite at his first outing and did a good job from the front when run down late.
How to play it: Offenbach WIN.
An eight-race card is programmed at Newcastle on Wednesday.Credit: Getty
Race 2
1. Hawker Hall will start very short and it’s hard to go past him. Was odds-on when run down on debut at Hawkesbury in October where he hung badly in the home straight. Trialling strongly. 3. Zoucat has had the one public trial at Kembla a couple of weeks ago and she was held together in that gallop running a close third. Nicely bred and in top stable so if there’s a danger she could be it. 2. The Way Ahead made her debut over this track and distance on April 1 as favourite and ran on OK into third on a soft track. Open to improvement.
How to play it: Hawker Hall WIN.
Race 3
9. O Cara Mia showed she’d made nice improvement into her second preparation by running on into second when resuming at Hawkesbury over 1500m. Fitter for it and she took steps forward with each run last time in so she can be in the finish. 4. El Paso looked to have every chance in a similar race here on April 1 when a short-priced favourite. Gets the blinkers on here so that may help as he’s been costly this time in. 2. Tommy Thug ran third in the same race after looming into it on the home turn then boxing away at the finish. Racing honestly and is one of the chances.
How to play it: O Cara Mia EACH-WAY.
Race 4
4. Righteous Legend returns as a gelding after two even runs in his first preparation where he was well supported in both and finished close up off wide gates. Trial may not be a super guide as he was out the back and forced wide but found the line OK. 11. Satin Sparkle did quite a good job when resuming at Wyong a couple of weeks ago as she made a run around them and was still strong on the line. Could easily go on with it. 8. Mignonette is out of that great mare Catkins and she’s first-up since her debut here back in December. Nothing wrong with her two trials.
How to play it: Righteous Legend WIN.
Race 5
4. Tasoraay showed promise in his first preparation and delivered with a maiden win at his fifth start. Found the line nicely on a heavy track in his latest trial at this track, and while coming up in class he does look hard to beat. 12. Aroha Stone is another resuming and she also took a few runs to break through before a sound effort in a Class 1 prior to a spell. Worked home without pressure in a fourth on a heavy track in her recent trial and is worth keeping safe. 1. Flying From Above was outclassed behind Lazurra in the Phar Lap and freshened up with an easy trial two weeks ago. Canterbury winner at his second start.
How to play it: Tasoraay WIN.
Race 6
1. Caltsar has found a nice race to kick off in on the back of a couple of trial wins, the latest of them on a heavy track where he ran down a leader who had opened a big break in the straight. Should take beating. 4. Rhegion did a bit of work early when resuming from a 10-month break at Muswellbrook and held on OK for third. Will be better for it and from a softer draw he has the platform to improve. 3. Navy Pier was only fair on debut running fourth on a heavy track when well supported. Perhaps he’s looking for more ground.
How to play it: Caltsar WIN.
Race 7
6. Empress Of Japan likely appreciated the combination of a class drop and rise in trip when scoring a big win from well back at Goulburn third-up. Placed at the trip at Kembla last time in and if she can get to the outside she could be hard to hold out again. 4. Colours Of Autumn will like the drop in grade after contesting two Provincial-Midway Championships qualifiers and she wasn’t disgraced in either. The extra 100m is a plus for her. 1. Hellfire Express has a wide gate but did the job well in his trial on heavy ground since a fair first-up run at Hawkesbury. Generally a consistent type.
How to play it: Empress Of Japan WIN.
Race 8
9. Equilibrist was an improver into his second-up placing over a mile at Gosford and looks a good each-way chance. Best efforts have been on soft or worse ground and at a mile and above so he’s well suited. 5. Hardpoint was placed in his first two runs back at Class 1 level then had a shot at the Tulloch and faded after leading. Much better suited in this and on previous form has to be respected. 7. November Falls ran a few smart races in Midway company last time in should be at peak now after three runs back. Led at Doomben and boxed on for fourth last time, should give a sight.
How to play it: Equilibrist EACH-WAY.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
