By Nicholas Berney
Lightly raced filly Infinitive is primed to produce a career-peak performance at Newcastle on Tuesday, and all the key indicators suggest she is ready to break through for a maiden win.
The three-year-old lines up in the NZB Karaka Yearling Sales Start January 29 F&M Maiden Handicap (1400m) and receives a favourable race set-up.
Chris Waller has Infinitive primed for a maiden win at Newcastle.Credit:Getty
The Chris Waller-trained galloper was honest on debut and had too much to do last start at Canterbury after being restrained early from a wide draw.
She rattled home some of the fastest closing splits of the entire meeting, and the form has been confirmed with a subsequent winner.
She receives a significant barrier change, which will allow her to settle closer and be poised to show her key asset in acceleration when the sprint goes on.
In addition, she is coming out of high-rating races at the metropolitan level. Repeating her last-start figure will put her in the finish.
Trainer Bjorn Baker saddles up a knockout chance in Highland Cathedral, whose last start had hidden merit.
The filly got too far back, had to make a long-wide sustained run, and hit the line hard.
Moreover, her sectionals suggested a rise in trip and a bigger track would be ideal, and she gets both of those factors to benefit her in this event.
Expect the Warwick Farm-trained runner to storm home over the concluding stages and look to have the last shot.
One of the more intriguing runners of the day is Cheerful Legend, who is having his second start for trainer Nathan Doyle. He looks well placed in The Prince Of Merewether Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).
We only have to go back to his last preparation, where the four-year-old, although comfortably held, started respectable prices in listed and group races.
He resumed 16 days ago and was solid in defeat, running fifth behind Ringmaster, who has since won again in Saturday city grade.
The four-year-old has a tricky draw but can show his class and run on with the anticipated genuine tempo.
