The $1 million Hunter headlines Saturday's Newcastle meeting on November 14, with the Group 3 Spring Stakes another major attraction on a strong ten-race program.
Rain could play a significant role in proceedings, with the prospect of a testing surface adding another dimension to the form ahead of one of Newcastle's biggest racedays of the year.
Our
Daily Racing Multi also brings together leading selections from multiple meetings across the country.
Newcastle Tips November 14
Express Glass Midway Handicap Tips (Race 4)
Newcastle Favourite - Race 4 No. 10 Cabbucio
Cabbucio has been costly for punters throughout this preparation, although the lightly raced daughter of Too Darn Hot remains extremely consistent, having missed the placings just once in eight career starts and finished in the money in all six appearances this year.
The Joseph Ible-trained mare has recorded four consecutive placings this campaign, including a narrow second behind Tom Cruising over 1600m at Kembla Grange in September before finishing third behind Philatelic and Columbus in a stronger Midway at Randwick on October 3.
That form has held up well, with Columbus subsequently winning in BM78 company, while Cabbucio returned from a month between runs to finish runner-up behind All Star over 1800m at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, beaten just a length in another competitive performance.
The drop back to 1600m should suit given she has already won and placed from two attempts at the distance, while her two career victories have come on Soft 5 and Soft 7 ground, making the forecast rain another potential positive.
Andrew Adkins takes the reins from barrier five with just 55kg, and although Cabbucio is getting close to D-Day after several near misses, her tactical versatility, favourable weight and proven ability in Midway company give her an excellent opportunity against rivals with more exposed profiles.
Ausure Insurance Legend Mile BM78 Handicap Tips (Race 5)
Newcastle Value Bet - Race 5 No. 12 Poisen Point
Poisen Point could prove dangerous towards the bottom of the weights, with the consistent Brett Robb-trained mare carrying just 52kg after Siena Grima's claim and looking capable of improving third-up following two contrasting performances this preparation.
The daughter of Swiss Ace returned from a spell with a strong victory in the Crystal Sprint at Coonamble on October 11, defeating Crook over 1200m, before finding circumstances far less favourable when tackling a stronger country open handicap at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
Drawn wide on that occasion, Poisen Point was ridden conservatively before finishing twelfth behind Boom Torque, although she was beaten only around three lengths in a competitive field over 1300m, suggesting the performance was considerably better than the finishing position indicated.
Her wet-track statistics are not particularly flattering, but several performances on rain-affected surfaces have still been competitive, while two runner-up finishes from three appearances over 1600m suggest the rise in distance is manageable despite her strongest winning form coming over shorter trips.
Barrier six should provide a more economical passage this time around, and with a previous third-up victory to her credit, a strong overall record of five wins and six minor placings from 20 starts and a significant weight advantage over most of her opposition, Poisen Point appeals as an each-way chance.
NZB 3YO Spring Stakes Tips (Race 7)
Newcastle Best Bet - Race 7 No. 1 Kickup Rocky
The early market has been quick to identify Kickup Rocky as the horse to beat in Saturday's Group 3 Spring Stakes, although there could be some opposition late from punters favouring the Sydney three-year-olds over a Queensland raider who has been outstanding in two appearances this preparation.
A son of Better Than Ready, the Desleigh Forster-trained gelding displayed considerable raw ability during his juvenile campaign, including a fourth placing in the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm, and he now appears to be delivering on that potential as an early three-year-old.
He resumed with a determined victory over the in-form Ashkirk at Eagle Farm on October 10 despite carrying 60kg, then produced an even more impressive performance at Doomben on October 31 when settling towards the rear before charging home to defeat Equinox King by a length and a half under 60.5kg.
The switch to set weights brings him down to 56.5kg, a 4kg reduction from his latest victory, while his strength and powerful finishing style should be ideally suited to the spacious Newcastle circuit as he steps up to 1600m for the first time this campaign.
There is a query surrounding genuinely heavy ground given his previous Group 1 defeat over the mile, but all three career victories have come on Soft tracks, and Kickup Rocky appears capable of taking the next step against a Sydney contingent that may not contain a rival of his quality.
The Newcastle Herald Hunter Tips (Race 8)
Newcastle Feature Bet - Race 8 No. 18 Point And Shoot
The $1 million Hunter looks an open contest, and Point And Shoot is an interesting runner at big odds if he gains a start from his position as second emergency, with the Bjorn Baker-trained gelding possessing the ability to produce a powerful finish despite often needing luck because of his lack of tactical speed.
There was plenty to like about his October 24 resumption in the Imperatriz Sprint at Flemington, where he began cleanly and finished just a length and a half behind Stokke over 1000m, a distance well short of his preferred range but a valuable starting point for his second campaign as a five-year-old.
His previous preparation included a narrow victory over Our Kobison in BM94 company at Rosehill before a particularly strong runner-up performance behind Sun God in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes over 1300m at Scone, with those efforts providing form references capable of measuring up in this company.
The return to 1300m looks suitable for a horse who should be strong at the end of a genuinely testing sprint, while his wide draw is less concerning given the likelihood of settling towards the rear, although a heavily rain-affected surface would introduce another element of risk.
There are obvious hurdles to overcome, particularly securing a start and finding clear running at the right time, but the available double-figure price compensates for those concerns, while Sweynesday looks the safest alternative after two excellent performances in Melbourne this preparation.
Reward Hospitality The Sugarloaf BM94 Handicap Tips (Race 10)
Newcastle Next Best Bet - Race 10 No. 11 Glorious Moments
Four victories from just eight starts underline the considerable ability of Glorious Moments, who has been lightly raced throughout his career and developed into a talented performer since being gelded following his juvenile preparation, winning four of his subsequent six appearances.
The son of Brutal has done all his winning on rain-affected ground, including a dominant Canterbury maiden success on Soft 6, a four-length Randwick victory on another Soft 6 surface and a first-up win at Warwick Farm over 1100m on Heavy 8 ground in May.
His unbeaten first-up record is particularly appealing, having won both previous resuming appearances, while two victories from as many attempts over 1300m suggest Saturday's assignment is an ideal starting point for the Jim and Greg Lee-trained five-year-old.
The October 23 trial at Randwick was relatively quiet, but he appeared to take considerable improvement into his November 4 hit-out, working particularly well beyond the line despite being given an easy time, suggesting he has the necessary fitness foundation to make his presence felt fresh.
His previous campaign concluded with an eighth in the Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill, where he was heavily supported before finishing only around three lengths from General Salute, and with the gelding potentially better suited on the fresh side, his excellent record on wet ground and ability to perform immediately after a spell make him a strong contender in this BM94.