NEWCASTLE
TRACK: GOOD 4 / RAIL: TRUE / WEATHER: FINE
SPRING STAKES G3
RACE 7 - 1600m
KATOTO / ZAHAV / PRINCE OF VERONA
Willing to suggest Waller will have the well-bred WOOTTON BASSETT filly KATOTO up for this and he does have a high opinion of this progressive half sister to SAVVY HALLIE. Won as a 2yo at Kembla in April, then fought on for 3rd behind I AM DIRTY in the Bill Carter at Doomben. Chased home some good ones resuming but shifts back to the 1600m which we believe will be the perfect distance now. Trial and error thus far, although worth persisting with.
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Ciaron Maher took his time preparing ZAHAV earlier in the year before a solid late bid for 3rd on debut at the Illawarra Grange. Simply too good for them up to the 1300m at Warwick Farm in inly his second start and we really don't know the ceiling for this bloke. He does look as though he's breed to be exceptionally being by GHAIYYATH, which means the mile+ should be right up his alley. Need to be wary coming out of this yard.
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PRINCE OF VERONA hasn't put a hoof wrong since debuting with a powerful win at Bathurst, but the Goulburn run from second last was enormous bursting thru late to claim the race. Kept chasing to find the front for a third straight victory at Warwick and now gets her chance at some black-type. The Archibald's have done a great job with the son of CASTELVECCHIO and there is also an element of the unknown with this lad.
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THE HUNTER (L)
RACE 8 - 1300m
SWEYNESSE / SHE'S AN ARTIST / KING OF ROSEAU
If the last run us anything to go by then SWEYNESDAY should really be winning The Hunter as he definitely deserves a change in fortune. The former Kiwi sprinter now with the Archibald's shifted our to just miss NDOLA in the Rising Fast (1200m) at Flemington. Lands a much better gate dropping 3kg and this SWEYNESSE gelding wouldn't need to improve much as a classy sprinter on his day. Looks the one for sure.
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SHE'S AN ARTIST is coming off a midweek victory at Warwick Farm where she took over at the 200m and proved just too good for them. Resumed with a 3rd at Caulfield and unlucky finishing 2nd at Randwick held up on straightening with nowhere to go. Ran on in restricted room at Rosehill but well fit now and just some space to move over the final stretch. Gate is awkward so possibly just as tricky but good enough.
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KING OF ROSEAU is yet to really hit his straps since returning from a spell, but took on the high class Premiere Stakes at Randwick before coming six-wide in the Russell Balding and no run at a vital stage. Super sharp earlier in the year, winning the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Goldie, followed by the Liverpool Cup (1300m) at Randwick and Takeover Target at Gosford. A very capable CAPITALIST gelding, he is up to winning this but the draw dies make it tough.
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THE BEAUFORD (L)
RACE 9 - 2300m
SAVVY SPY / CAMPALDINO / DON DIEGO DE VEGA
SAVVY SPY is turning into a staying find this spring and was strong to the line in winning over 2400m at Rosehill after being hooked four-wide turning for home. Drew clear late to win at Hawkesbury and simply too good for them stepping up to the 2400m for the first time at Warwick Farm. The Gai/Bott stable have this SAVABEEL gelding flying at present, and this pedigree says she can stay. Big step up but small field a boost.
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The 2025 Brisbane Cup victor CAMPALDINO boasts a Listed victory over Metropolitan and Moonee Valley Cup winner JUJA KIBO in the autumn but has been unplaced in four runs this time in, the latest when finishing down the track in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield and the Sydney Cup. The GHIBILLINES gelding was three-wide without cover in the cup, so willing to forgive that tough run as likely to be more effective here.
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DON DIEGO DE VEGA has been struggling away this prep unable to find a finish, although the tough run in the Sydney Gold Cup may have hardened the grey gelding significantly. Was going ok last spring, finshing 2nd to LITZDEEL in the Heritage Cup at Flemington and scored a deserved victory in the Grafton Cup before a bold 4th in the Bendigo Cup. Will likes things his own way, but he could definitely improve.
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MAX LEE CLASSIC
RACE 1 - 1000m
STELLAR AMI / BRONZE LION / FAST FEATHER
The MAX LEE is typically a lottery with so many juvenile first starters, but a couple could shine on debut. The Gai/Bott stable present STELLAR AMI who trialed up nicely in an 800m jumpout three weeks ago. An I AM INVINCIBLE filly, her dam STELLAR PAULENE from Not A Single Doubt was half decent and this filly could be ad well.
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BRONZE LION, a Kris Lees-trained colt, makes his debut following a strong trial victory at Gosford where he raced prominently and demonstrated impressive acceleration when prompted. He moves with notable fluidity, and it's well worth evaluating his performance. A TASSORT colt by a NOT A SINGLE DOUBT mare, the ace gate should act as a bonus if away clean.
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FAST FEATHER is a colt sired by TASSORT out of the dam POTARE (Sebring), currently under the training of Geoff Allendorf at Wyong. He has looked good in both Sydney jumpouts; firstly finishing 3rd to the promising PRINCE KIRK over 818m, then 2nd to a nice I AM INVINCIBLE colt in OVERLEAP at Randwick over 740m. Getting massive odds here.
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BENCHMARK 94 HANDICAP
RACE 10 - 1300m
EAGLE EXPRESS / KERGUELEN / SPIONE
EAGLE EXPRESS competed over 1100m during the Flemington Derby Day meeting, where she raced off the pace and failed to challenge FLYING FOR FUN bur is just too good to dismiss here. With the benefit of a weight allowance and a favourable draw, her peak performance is undoubtedly sufficient to contend. At the weights from this gate the mare should really be winning the last for Chris Waller Racing.
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KERGUELEN was firing this time last year and finally delivering on his promise; however, since resuming we have yet to see the best of the Joe Pride-trained LONHRO gelding who does possess a strong finishing burst but can get into awkward spots. Did nothing trialing up before a nice return for 3rd at Warwick Farm running on from well back. Hampered at the 100m, although a bit plain at Randwick. Could turn it all around quickly.
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SPIONE might be a stab in the dark at $17, and although the SHOWTIME gelding won fresh up at Hawkesbury last prep, he is a very talented horse in his day who holds a tremendous first up record. Disappointed a bit but didn't have much luck and from a nice gate with a light weight, he certainly looks the one to cause an upset. Unbeaten at the trip and only needs a firm track to be effective.
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