Punt like a Pro, without the know!
New South Wales · Saturday 17 October 2026
Our top pick won 2 of 8 races at Newcastle. Every pick, our analysis and the full results are below.
top pick wonanother tip wonno tip won
The clear form pick in an open maiden. She has been consistent across four starts, charging home for a close second at Illawarra two runs back and then a solid fourth at Newcastle after not getting the clearest passage. She settles handy, which suits what looks a slowly-run race, and she has the strongest recent form of any runner with public form. The obvious worry is her stable's quiet spell, but on what we've seen she is the one to beat.
Unraced three-year-old who ticks plenty of boxes on debut. Aaron Bullock, one of the best riders at this track, takes the mount, and two soft-track trials (a second and a fourth) suggest he handles the conditions. The query is his trainer's poor record here, but the profile is attractive each-way.
The wet-track specialist of the field, with three placings from six soft-track runs and two minor cheques at this track and trip. He raced on the speed and was never really tested when fifth here last start, and the expected slow tempo should see him right up in the firing line. Twelve starts without a win is the obvious knock, so he looks more a place play than a winner.
He maps to settle in midfield from a middle gate and should appreciate a genuinely-run affair.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 | Howzat Harry | 4 | Liam Riordan | Mark Minervini | 57kg | $3.90 |
| 2nd | 8 | Zousari | 7 | Jess Taylor | Jason Coyle | 57.5kg | $10.00 |
| 3rd | 2 | Arthur Park | 2 | Mitchell Bell | Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou | 58kg | $6.00 |
| 4th | 6 | Areesea | 5 | Keagan Latham | Kim Waugh | 57.5kg | $3.30 |
| 5th | 3 | Cadmean | 9 | Lee Magorrian | Chris Waller | 58kg | $6.00 |
| 6th | 11 | Tightrope Walker | 3 | Rory Hutchings | Denim Wynen | 56.5kg | $101.00 |
| 7th | 4 | Close Combat | 8 | William A Stanley | Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou | 56.5kg | $16.00 |
| 8th | 1 | Persona Non Grata | 6 | Jeff Penza | Stephen Hill | 59kg | $10.00 |
| 9th | 5 | Oakfield Bismarck | 1 | Aaron Bullock | Damien Lane | 58kg | $20.00 |
| Scr | 7 | Geryon | 10 | Chris Waller | 57.5kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Another Lahar | 11 | David Payne | 57kg |
Resuming off a trial win, she settles handy which suits a slow-tempo race and a track that favours on-pace runners. The wide draw is the only real knock.
A consistent mare whose recent runs stack up well against this class, including a close placing on a heavy track at Bathurst. Drawn nicely in three, she should settle handy in a race likely run at a slow tempo, exactly the profile Newcastle favours.
Second-up now for a top stable and open to sharp improvement, but she settles near last and that style is a genuine negative at a track where backmarkers struggle. Place prospects look stronger than her winning chance.
She is drawn to race handy, which suits this track, and the stable is a strong source of debut winners.
The inside gate is a real plus at Newcastle and her trainer has a decent record here, while the first-time gear points to a stable with a plan.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 7 | Cosmic Eagle | 11 | Keagan Latham | Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou | 57kg | $1.85 |
| 2nd | 13 | Michonne's Katana | 3 | Mitchell Bell | Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou | 57kg | $6.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Llantarnam | 1 | Reece Jones | David Pfieffer | 59kg | $12.00 |
| 4th | 12 | Wild Yarn | 5 | Louise Day | Ron Quinton | 55.5kg | $41.00 |
| 5th | 5 | Oakfield Kansas | 7 | Aaron Bullock | Damien Lane | 58.5kg | $41.00 |
| 6th | 11 | Sequoia | 8 | Rory Hutchings | Michael Freedman | 56kg | $7.00 |
| 7th | 10 | Velastra | 9 | Lee Magorrian | Richard and Will Freedman | 56kg | $5.00 |
| 8th | 9 | The Weapon | 6 | Olivia Chambers | Gary Nickson | 55kg | $71.00 |
| 9th | 8 | Emerald Evie | 13 | Leeshelle Small | Edward Cummings | 54kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Fierce Critic | 10 | Matthew Smith | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | Busy Bee | 4 | Mark Minervini | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 4 | Social Graces | 2 | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 59kg | ||
| Scr | 6 | Sweet Disposition | 12 | Jay Hopkins | 57.5kg |
Doralee is the class runner here, a consistent mare who has filled a placing in four of nine starts and handles rain-affected ground. She resumes off a break but has trialled nicely and has placed at three of four first-up runs. Aaron Bullock, the best rider in the race, takes the mount and she should settle just off the speed. The wide gate is the worry, but her form stands out.
Capdiva ran a strong second over this exact track and trip a fortnight ago, settling handy and hitting the line well. She has never won and the wide draw is awkward, but her recent form measures up well against this field.
She has a smart yard behind her, won a recent soft-track trial with authority and draws an inside gate.
Lady Talea knows this circuit better than anything else in the race, having placed in all four Newcastle 900m runs, including a closing third here a fortnight ago. She draws the inside gate, a genuine advantage in a sprint, is trending the right way and gets a strong jockey/trainer combination.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | Lady Talea | 1 | Mitchell Bell | Jason Coyle | 57kg | $9.00 |
| 2nd | 3 | Doralee | 12 | Aaron Bullock | Edward Cummings | 58kg | $3.90 |
| 3rd | 6 | Unjust | 9 | Leeshelle Small | John Sharah | 54kg | $71.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Classy Go Go | 5 | Grant Buckley | Wayne Seelin | 55kg | $81.00 |
| 5th | 7 | Final Gift | 7 | Olivia Chambers | Mark Cross | 54.5kg | $101.00 |
| 6th | 2 | Capdiva | 10 | Reece Jones | Gary Portelli | 57kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 4 | Dream A Little | 4 | Liam Riordan | Jay Hopkins | 57kg | $71.00 |
| 8th | 8 | Pacific Nations | 8 | Jess Taylor | Paul Perry | 56.5kg | $12.00 |
| 9th | 9 | Sin City Magic | 6 | William A Stanley | Gary Portelli | 55kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Beavers Dream | 3 | Jenny Duggan | Wayne Seelin | 57kg | |
| Scr | 11 | Hit The Runway | 11 | Ciaron Maher | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Ole Steele | 2 | Louise Day | Scott Singleton | 55kg |
Won last start at this track over 900m, drawing clear, and is unbeaten at the trip here. Progressive mare who handles soft ground with two placings on rain-affected tracks. Sits just off the pace around fifth, the sweet spot at Newcastle.
Consistent mare, placed in better than half her starts, dropping sharply in class from BM78 company after a strong clock effort at Gosford. She has raced well fresh and handles soft ground, but resumes off a 161-day break carrying 59kg and looks likely to settle further back than ideal at a track that punishes backmarkers.
She also races well fresh. Against that, she resumes off a long 217-day break, her stable and jockey are out of form, and a first-time tongue tie suggests a query.
Lightly raced 4yo who won her maiden over this track and trip on soft going first up and now resumes under similar conditions. Her on-pace style fits the Newcastle soft bias where front-to-handy runners thrive.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 4 | Precious Girl | 4 | Olivia Chambers | Denim Wynen | 54.5kg | $7.00 |
| 2nd | 2 | Emalyn | 6 | Liberty Smyth | Nathan Doyle | 56.5kg | $1.40 |
| 3rd | 3 | Alabama Hammer | 8 | Mitchell Bell | Gregory McFarlane | 56.5kg | $26.00 |
| 4th | 7 | Waveton | 2 | Reece Jones | Sara Ryan | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 5th | 11 | Mr Trackside | 5 | Jess Taylor | Paul Perry | 55kg | $41.00 |
| 6th | 1 | Stratafy | 3 | Olivia Dalton | Neil Ward | 59kg | $5.50 |
| 7th | 8 | Barsandbi | 1 | Louise Day | Gregory McFarlane | 55kg | $101.00 |
| 8th | 6 | Bethsheba | 11 | Grant Buckley | Nikki Hodgson | 55kg | $31.00 |
| 9th | 5 | No Statement | 9 | Leeshelle Small | Mike Van Gestel | 52.5kg | $41.00 |
| Scr | 9 | Our Emily | 7 | John Bannister | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 10 | Executive Decision | 10 | Mark Cross | 55kg |
With no genuine speed engaged he should lead and dictate a slow tempo, which is exactly the profile that wins sprints at this track. He won a Hawkesbury maiden on soft ground in the manner of a good horse before a competitive run in a far stronger juvenile race. Freshened up, the class rise is the query, but he looks the one to catch.
The safest horse in the race. She's placed in six of eight and has never run a bad race on rain-affected ground, topped by an arrogant win on a Soft 7 at Moruya last start where she quickened clear. She maps to sit just off the speed in the ideal spot and her stable is in tremendous form. The step into Class 1 is the obvious test, but she's progressive and handles the conditions.
An exciting one-start gelding who won on debut at this very track on a heavy surface, coming from off the pace with a sharp turn of foot. He maps to settle handy and a slow tempo plays right into his hands.
An honest, consistent type who finally got the win last start with a strong late charge at Tuncurry. He's placed in six of eleven, draws the inside gate, strips fitter second-up and should land in the right part of the track off a slow tempo.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2 | Zouboy | 5 | William A Stanley | Nathan Doyle | 57kg | $4.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Sun To Me | 1 | Jess Taylor | Paul Perry | 58kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 6 | Heard Of Him | 8 | Keagan Latham | Richard and Will Freedman | 56.5kg | $2.70 |
| 4th | 8 | Take Flight | 7 | Reece Jones | David Payne | 55kg | $5.50 |
| 5th | 5 | Classic Pocket | 9 | Grant Buckley | Rodney Bailey | 57kg | $17.00 |
| 6th | 7 | Coco Dior | 6 | Rory Hutchings | Mitchell Beer and George Carpenter | 56kg | $7.00 |
| 7th | 1 | Sabi Storm | 2 | Jeff Penza | Mark Sues | 60kg | $51.00 |
| 8th | 9 | Steel Rain | 3 | Poppie Gorton | Donna Grisedale | 52kg | $151.00 |
| 9th | 3 | El Qasabi | 4 | Aaron Bullock | David Pfieffer | 58kg | $8.50 |
A progressive colt who has won both starts at Newcastle, the latest a tough success over 1500m. He produced the strongest recent performance in this line-up and maps to settle in the first half, which is exactly where this track and a likely slow tempo favour runners. The queries are a first try at 1600m and first run on soft ground, but his upside and suitability make him the one to beat.
However, he gets well back in his races and this mile at Newcastle looks a slowly-run contest where backmarkers rarely get home; he is also stepping to 1600m for the first time and is second-up.
She fits these conditions better than most, with three wins from six on soft tracks and an unbeaten record at the mile. She races on the pace of midfield, which suits a slowly-run contest on a track that rewards handy-to-midfield runners.
An improving mare with a strong Newcastle record, having won twice and placed once from six here and scored over this trip at this track. Barrier 3 lets her settle handy, which suits the likely slow tempo.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | Varjak | 9 | Louise Day | Ciaron Maher | 60kg | $7.00 |
| 2nd | 5 | Mindgames | 2 | Keagan Latham | John O'Shea and Tom Charlton | 59.5kg | $1.90 |
| 3rd | 4 | Glastonbury Girl | 8 | Reece Jones | Matthew Smith | 59.5kg | $7.00 |
| 4th | 10 | Wallace Station | 4 | Rory Hutchings | Michael Freedman | 58.5kg | $4.40 |
| 5th | 9 | Angel Feet | 7 | Jeff Penza | Chris Waller | 58.5kg | $51.00 |
| 6th | 6 | Outta Line | 13 | L P Beuzelin | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 59.5kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 13 | Cassie's Lad | 6 | Liam Riordan | Jay Hopkins | 55kg | $101.00 |
| Scr | 1 | Danish Fortune | 5 | Joel Wilkes | 61kg | ||
| Scr | 2 | So Rebellious | 11 | Gary Portelli | 60kg | ||
| Scr | 7 | Pappa Blue | 12 | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 59.5kg | ||
| Scr | 8 | Alabama Blitz | 3 | Cameron Crockett | 58.5kg | ||
| Scr | 11 | Autumn Sky | 14 | Richard Litt | 57kg | ||
| Scr | 12 | Ghayoor | 10 | Darren Treacy | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 14 | Saint Emilion | 1 | Jason Deamer | 61kg |
Unbeaten in three soft-track starts and two-from-two at Newcastle over this trip, he won his two most recent races on rain-affected ground before a sound Rosehill effort in stronger company. Bullock has ridden him to four wins from four. Top weight and a class rise are the queries and he does settle a touch back in the field, but his class and wet-track record make him the one to beat.
Progressive four-year-old who maps to sit handy, which suits a Newcastle soft track that rewards forward runners. He has won two of four on soft ground, including a dominant Taree victory two runs back, and carries a light weight with the claim. The knock is the step up to Open grade — he led and was run down over this course last start — but he still has upside after just nine starts.
Consistent five-year-old who loves Newcastle — three wins and three placings from seven visits, including a close second over 1300m here last start. He has two placings at this trip at the track and handles soft ground.
Roughie worth a look. A proven wet-tracker with five wins and five placings from 24 soft starts, including an Open Handicap win on soft two runs back and a close second under 62kg in another. His last start can be forgiven after a wide draw and a crowded start, and he is the stable's sole runner.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Oakfield Utah | 6 | Aaron Bullock | Scott Singleton | 61kg | $2.35 |
| 2nd | 8 | Unreachable | 8 | Reece Jones | Jeremy Sylvester | 55kg | $15.00 |
| 3rd | 3 | Puerto Banus | 7 | Jess Taylor | Paul Perry | 58.5kg | $6.50 |
| 4th | 2 | Oakfield Duke | 4 | Grant Buckley | Kris Lees | 59.5kg | $15.00 |
| 5th | 6 | Commanding Artist | 2 | Keagan Latham | Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou | 56.5kg | $5.50 |
| 6th | 7 | Ellofadude | 3 | William A Stanley | Ben Blay | 54.5kg | $7.50 |
| 7th | 4 | Taipan Legend | 1 | Lee Magorrian | Cameron Crockett | 58kg | $9.00 |
| 8th | 5 | Ghost Walker | 5 | Mitchell Bell | Paul Snowden | 57kg | $12.00 |
The clear pick. Led and fought on bravely for second in a similar race last start and now finds himself the likely lone leader in what shapes as a slowly-run staying contest - an ideal setup at Newcastle, where handy runners dominate. He has a strong record of placing on rain-affected ground and the in-form Aaron Bullock stays aboard. The only query is the step out to 1900m, but recent form says he is ready.
Rates the main danger on the strength of a standout last-start effort, charging home for fourth in a fast-run Randwick grade behind a tearaway leader. Keagan Latham is unbeaten in three rides on him, a strong pointer, and the step to 1900m suits. The knock is his get-back style in a race lacking early pressure, plus a modest record on soft ground - he will need luck from the tail.
Drops sharply in class after mixing it in Derby company and gets a 3kg claim, leaving him very light. He races on the speed, which is exactly where you want to be in a slowly-run Newcastle staying race, and he has placed in both previous second-up runs.
His best asset is a powerful finish, and the step up in trip is in his favour. Last start he pulled up lame, so forgive that.
| Finish | No. | Horse | Barrier | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | Sumac | 2 | Jeff Penza | Lee and Cherie Curtis | 55kg | $5.00 |
| 2nd | 4 | Agita | 6 | Keagan Latham | David Payne | 57kg | $4.00 |
| 3rd | 8 | Can't Recall One | 7 | Adam Farragher | Matthew Smith | 55kg | $16.00 |
| 4th | 1 | Falcon Lair | 4 | Olivia Dalton | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 55.5kg | $13.00 |
| 5th | 3 | Freddie Bassett | 3 | Heavelon Van Der Hoven | Annabel and Rob Archibald | 57.5kg | $15.00 |
| 6th | 5 | Saint Emilion | 1 | William A Stanley | Jason Deamer | 55.5kg | $6.00 |
| 7th | 2 | Leica Storm | 5 | Aaron Bullock | Matthew Smith | 58.5kg | $2.70 |
| Scr | 7 | Blenheim Girl | 8 | Chris Waller | 55kg | ||
| Scr | 9 | Kosuke | 9 | Mitchell Bell | Gregory McFarlane | 55kg |
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