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Randwick trainer Michael Freedman has chosen Saturday’s Newcastle race meeting for the re-appearance of his boom colt Hawaii Five Oh ($2 favourite on TAB).
The blueblood, a younger brother to top sprinter Libertini, will contest the RAIS Super Class 1 Handicap (1300m) in which he has topweight of 61½kg.
The three-year-old has not raced since October 8 when he failed to handle the Heavy 10 track in the Tapp-Craig and was pulled out of the race on the home turn.
Hawaii Five Oh has had two recent barrier trials and in the latest was not extended at Randwick against quality opposition.
On Saturday the colt has drawn perfectly, and Rory Hutchings has the mount.
In his two starts before the Tapp-Craig Hawaii Five Oh won on debut at Wyong in August and was placed in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill in September.
Michael Freedman is confident Hawaii Five Oh will perform well on Saturday as he heads to the autumn.
"The horse is going well in trials and on the track, and he is ready to go to the races.
"I chose Newcastle because he needs a big spacious track and wants a firm surface. My concern is the big weight first-up but Hawaii Five Oh is a big boy.
"I am happy with the barrier, and he should take up a nice position. Hawaii Five Oh is potentially a black type horse," Freedman said.
The colt is raced by Gerry Harvey, John Singleton, and radio king Ray Hadley.
Gosford trainer Angela Davies has a good strike rate when she races her team at Newcastle, and her mare Alicia Roma ($1.90 fav) will be hard to beat in the Montgomery Homes Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m).
She has speed to burn and has led in all her five starts. The four-year-old has had five starts for two wins and three placings, and she has drawn favourably.
Alicia Roma was an effortless first up winner at Canberra on January 11 when Jeff Penza had his first ride on the mare, and he retains the mount tomorrow.
Richard and Will Freedman have Jumeirah Beach ($5.50) resuming after a short break in the final event, the Container Traders Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m).
Jumeirah Beach was very impressive in Muswellbrook and Mudgee wins prior to a two-month break.
At Muswellbrook on November 25 the four-year-old blitzed a maiden field by more then 4 lengths.
At Mudgee on December 2, the gelding cruised home from worse than midfield to win a Class 1. He finished off a barrier trial nicely at Warwick Farm on January 16.
Two of Australia's most successful stables are drawn to clash in the Ryan Ansell Investment Solutions Maiden Plate (900m).
The Snowden camp's blueblood filly Satin And Silk ($2.90) has drawn barrier one, while James Cummings' filly Gaylebeck ($2,25 fav) has barrier three.
Satin And Silk's only start resulted in a three length fifth in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes in October. The two-year-old has twice trialled impressively in January.
The filly is also an acceptor at Randwick and a decision will be made on race morning as to where she will run.
Gaylebeck is a three-year-old filly who has been runner up in three of her four starts all at Newcastle, and she is quick.
