Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Thursday, October 2, 2025

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NEWCASTLE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 3 No.2: COLUMBUS

Very unlucky when third here first-up. Can make amends.

NEXT BEST

Race 7 No.9: I AM BRAVE

Jumped from a maiden win to a city Midway in her two starts. Flashed home in her recent trial.

VALUE BET

Race 8 No.6: ECLAIR ENCORE

Only unplaced run last prep was in the Qld Oaks. Trialling well and will give a bold sight.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 2, 4, 8

Race 6: 1, 5, 9, 14

Race 7: 3, 6, 9

Race 8: 2, 4, 5, 6

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Ash Morgan looks a good chance of landing a winning double.

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NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (900m)

HAYEK (3) was fourth behind Akaysha and Beadman on debut followed by a fourth to Grand Eagle at Randwick back in April. Returns as a gelding and has been terrific winning both trials. Crossed from a wide gate and raced to a four-length win in his last heat at Rosehill. UNCLE HARRY (2) was eased late when fifth at Hawkesbury first-up. Much better last start when a fast closing nose second to Missie Lee at Kembla. MARIKO (1) came from midfield when second to Oakfield Mars in her trial here. Keep safe.

BET: HAYEK to win.

RACE 2: SUPER MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)

PONTEVEDRA (10) is a Snitzel half-brother to Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa on debut. Tracked the leader when he won his first trial at Scone. Came from a long way back and kept under a hold when a length fourth in his second heat. GREEN SPRING (7) began awkwardly and settled back when a closing nose second on debut at Ipswich. Spelled after finishing a safely held second as a $1.24 fav at Doomben. Flashed late when a neck second to Augusta National in his Randwick trial. MAID OF MOOLAH (1) and AUGUSTA NATIONAL (3) have claims.

BET: PONTEVEDRA to win.

RACE 3: MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500m)

COLUMBUS (2) was held for most of the straight and only got clear in the last 50m before closing quickly to finish a three-quarter-length third behind Decorum on debut here. Will take benefit from the experience. LADY PANKHURST (1) didn’t handle the heavy track first-up. Was held up on the fence until inside the 200m when fifth to Magenta Skies over 1400m here last start. Extra trip suits. Was third in the Fernhill third-up last campaign. IRONHEART (4) was third to the in-form Napoleonic on debut. Good late when a length fifth to Decorum here last start.

BET: COLUMBUS to win.

RACE 4: CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1500m)

KONING (5) battled away OK when fifth to Jacob’s Ladder over 1200m when resuming at Kembla. Has a win and two placings from four runs here and will appreciate stepping up to 1500m. EMILIA JANE (6) has drawn outside barriers and has had to go back before working home in both runs this time in. Drawn two here and can settle in a more prominent position. Won her maiden here. ERINA (4) has racing well but has only raced or trialled on wet tracks. The firm track is a query.

BET: KONING each-way.

RACE 5: MIDWAY BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (900m)

WELCOME GYPSY (4) kicked on straightening before the swoopers went past in the last 100m when fourth in the Hurricane here behind Durova. Has a win and two placings from four starts this track and distance. STRATAFY (2) placed in her first two runs from a spell then failed on the heavy on the Kensington. Bounced back with a narrow win from Altercation here. OCEAN JOY (8) won her maiden at this track and distance in February before a third to Stratafy. Hasn’t been knocked about in her two recent trails.

BET: WELCOME GYPSY to win.

RACE 6: PROVINCIAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1850m)

SWEET BUBBLES (14) dropped back 100m from her second at Scone when fifth there two runs back. Back up to 1750m and ran down Green Run to score by a nose at Muswellbrook. OCEANFRONT (5) was just behind the placegetters in his first two runs for his new trainer before a third to Call Me Magnifique over 1625m at Wyong. Has had an easy trial since. Up to 1850m for the first time. ALABAMA BLITZ (3) drops back in trip from her length fifth to Just Go Bang at Hawkesbury.

BET: SWEET BUBBLES each-way.

RACE 7: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1200m)

I AM BRAVE (9) came from last to score a nice win over 1000m on debut at Scone before jumping sharply in grade when fifth to Lady Extreme in a Rosehill Midway. Closed fast late for a nose second in her Hawkesbury trial. BONJOUR MADAME (6) took benefit from her game half-length third to Prince Kuro over 1000m on debut at Taree and scored back-to-back wins over 1200m. Kept under a hold when second to Eclair Encore in her recent trial here.

BET: I AM BRAVE to win.

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP (1300m)

ECLAIR ENCORE (6) was only unplaced once in six starts campaign and that was her 15th behind stablemate You Wahng in the Queensland Oaks. She was a debut winner over 1262m at Taree and started last prep with a third to Amreekiyah over 1400m here. Smart trial win on Sept 24. THUNDERING SOUL (5) is knocking on the door after three consecutive seconds. Just beaten by Sonofdec at Kembla last start. SONOFDEC (2) has claims on his last-start win.

BET: ECLAIRE ENCORE each-way.