Australian racing tips – Thursday 20 March 2025 – Newcastle

Race 5

CURL CURL has cracked pole position and has consistent formlines to his name, his last three runs yielding two thirds and the latest a second place finish over this c&d, just a neck behind the winner and the form of that race has been franked.

He sat just behind the speed that day and then stayed on well over the closing stages to just fail to overhaul the victor. The gelding will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and will be hoping to go one better here.

INSIST came three wide into the home straight, before striking the front at the 200M mark, only to be run out of it late. He returns from a 17 week break, but has had two barrier trials, finishing fourth in the first and third in the latest. From draw five, he should be right up there when they hit the line.

RIDE THE RIVER showed plenty of toe and only faded late when ending up in sixth place last time out over 1000M, three and a half lengths back from the winner and on that effort and with a handy draw four, he should enjoy the drop in distance.

Race 6

KOIOS won over 1200M three runs back, finished second in his penultimate start over 1250M and then fifth in his latest outing over 1300M, just over a length and a half behind the winner, but it should be noted that he overraced in the early and middle stages in that event, had to be held up approaching the home turn, but was still able to finish off his race strongly. The form of that race has been franked and although drawn wideish in gate eight, he could prove hard to topple and is made the best bet on the day’s card.

LOVE THE CUBE has posted three solid last runs after winning over 1100M four runs back, the latest a third place finish over 1000M, 0.7L back from the winner. The gelding overraced throughout on that occasion, but still chased hard all the way down to the wire. He is drawn one outside the top pick, but will be having his peak run after returning from a 43-week spell and could prove the biggest danger to the top choice.

PRESIDES finished second in his last two outings, the latest over 1000M, beaten just a head, when having his first run for his new trainer and returning from a 30 week absence. He would have come on further with that run under his belt and should be involved in the finish.

Race 7

MATCHA LATTE has posted two seconds and a third in his latest start over 1400M, just a head off the winner. He was returning from a 23 week rest that day, kicking clear of the opposition at the 350M pole, only to be grabbed in the shadow of the post. The gelding has a useful gate two and could give trainer Sara Ryan her second winner in the day’s Jackpot, should the top pick win the previous race.

WOOLOOWIN is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but she won last time out over 1300M by two and a half lengths, this despite jumping awkwardly, before delivering a powerful finish over the closing stages. She on the other hand faces a wide draw fourteen, but she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.

FRENCH RULER battled all the way down to the wire when ending up in second spot last time out over 1400M, just under a half length back from the victor. He has his peak run after returning from a 12 week rest and although drawn wide in gate ten, he should turn in another honest performance in this line-up.

Race 8

The day’s value bet, PINITO is a 3yr old filly bumping males, but she followed up her penultimate run victory over 1400M with a third place finish next time out over 1200M, 2.3L back from the winner, when returning from a 24 week break.

She did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight that day, only seeing daylight at the 100M mark before finishing off her race well. The form of that race has been franked and from gate seven, she will be hoping to chalk up her second career win.

THREATENING finished third in three successive run before ending up in second spot last time out over 1300M, 1.3L behind the winner, but he was hampered at the 200M mark that day, so he had his excuse. The gelding now has his peak run after returning from a 22-week rest and from a cozy draw two, he could complete the exacta.

FAST TRACK is another 3yr old filly in the race. She won over 1200M on debut, albeit by just a head, but she would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she may well be good enough to chalk up a quick double.