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Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the transferred Tancred Stakes meeting at Newcastle on March 28 with Trial Watch and Blackbook runners.
NEWCASTLE MARCH 28
RACE 1 (7) RUSTIC STEEL: Recorded his fifth win in only nine starts when trouncing his opposition under 57kg in a heat of the Provincial Championship (over this course and distance on February 24 after an excellent third when resuming behind Maotai over 1200m at Randwick. He can produce a super turn of foot in affected ground and the switch of this meeting to his home track is a huge bonus. Hugh Bowman sure to ride him to advantage with cover from a favourable draw.
RACE 2: (8) SATIRICAL GLORY: Has had a solid prep for this distance and has course experience. Appeals at good odds as he is peaking at the right time.
RACE 3: (7) ANNAVISTO: First try in the clockwise direction but hard to beat if she runs to her Melbourne ratings.
RACE 4: (14) MR MOZART: Went to a new peak with impressive last start win when dictating from the front. Can repeat.
RACE 5: (11) DUAIS: Dominant win in the Australian Cup and she's an Oaks winner over this distance. Extra trip poses no problems.
RACE 6: (6) GYPSY GODDESS: Strong figures in her unbeaten Queensland run. Excellent first-up over 1600m and open to the most improvement.
RACE 7 (12) GRAVINA: Perfect set up for this talented sprinter back to 1200m with the edge in race fitness over many resuming rivals. Added to his impressive record when he gave 6kg and an easy beating to subsequent winner Taksu when resuming over 1200m at Randwick on February 26 then far from disgraced when back in distance to 1100m in the G3 Maurice McCarten at Randwick where he finished a luckless third after he slipped at the start. Big sectionals last time and is sure to hit the line off the certain hot speed from the flying MAOTAI.
SELECTIONS
RACE 1: 7-8-4-11
RACE 2: 8-3-1-5
RACE 3: 7-3-10-8
RACE 4: 14-11-4-5
RACE 5: 11-2-1-3
RACE 6: 6-2-5-3
RACE 7: 12-18-9-5
TRIAL WATCH REPORT
NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS
NEWCASTLE: Imaging (R4); The Frontman (R4); Exoboom (R7); Maotai (R7)
RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Norman; Vilana; Voldemort; Sinaloa; Comrade Rosa; I Am Me; Kinloch; Nominator; Propel Motion; Willinga Beast; Loch Eagle; Forbidden Love; Fireburn; Gravina; Jukebox Flyer; Endorsement; Fire; Champions League; Character; Arthur Francis.
TRIAL POINTERS
ROSEHILL March 22: Wow! What more can you say about the speed MAOTAI displayed to win his 1050m heat by almost 11 lengths that could have been much more. He simply pulled his way to a 12 lengths lead between the 800m and 400m in a speed display that says he will test any field up to 1200m. The clock tells the story as he recorded a flying 61.41 in the heavy ground (next best 63.27) and his last 600m in 34.25 was easily the fastest sectional of the 14 heats.
WARWICK FARM March 11 (Polytrack): The second 1175m heat was won by the accomplished Group winner IMAGING (72.62; 36.50), doing enough to get the better of much lesser performed rivals.
RANDWICK March 3 (Polytrack): EXOBOOM, having his first outing since he ran in the Villiers in December, always had control of his 1080m heat and looked to have plenty in reserve holding his rivals in the run to the line (64.86; 34.68).
BLACKBOOK REPORT
Eligible Blackbook Runners – March 23
NEWCASTLE MONDAY: Spanish Mission (R7)
RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Daisies; Athelric; Maserartie Bay; Express Pass; Blackcomb; Mac 'N' Cheese; Duais; Star Of Michelin; Kinloch; She's Extreme; Zeyrek; Finance Tycoon; Comica; War Eternal; Rose Quartz; Mightybeel; Devil's Throat; Stray; Desert Icon; Worthily.
