Newcastle   02 Aug 2025
 
GOING: H(10)

BUILDCERT CONDITIONAL BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP 1600m

Track: Heavy 10   Rain (Max: 15)   Rail: +4m Entire .  

Genuine tempo from Hibiki Harmony leading Wealthy Investor. HOW MUCH BETTER (1) had mixed luck this prep and no excuses here fifth up with the 3kg claim. Kept safe in betting when he ran below expectations to finish eighth over this trip at Wyong. Has a handy record here and set to bounce back. THIS IS THE MOMENT (2) improving with each run and has his hoof on the till. Proven in the testing conditions and gets an economical run with a key jockey change. RAJNISH (5) has gone to a new level this campaign and deserves his chance in provincial company. Monstered a strong field when making it two straight wins over 1600m at Tamworth. Mitch Bell sticks and should measure up again. TOM CRUISING (8) hard to catch on his day and expecting a better showing after failing to close off when ninth to Hooligan Tommy over 1600m at this track. Drops a further 2kg for this and must be respected. HIBIKI HARMONY (6) smart mare who looks well placed with the 3kg claim after running fourth over 1600m in the Grafton Guineas. Will roll forward and give cheek. SUGGESTED PLAY: How Much Better to assert his class.
1 x4738 HOW MUCH BETTER
SARA RYAN
5YO  GR/CH  GELDING 59.0KG
Domeland Pty Ltd (Mgr: Y P Cheng)
Most recently second last of 9 at Wyong Bm64 on July 24 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind Dubai Warrior with 58kg at $4.40. The run before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 at this track Cond Bm68 on July 12 over 1400m, slow going 0.6 len behind Audrey's Lane with 59kg at $8.50. Won't find an easier contest fifth up.
6
HOLLY DURNAN
Red, Yellow Band, Striped Sleeves
2 00422 THIS IS THE MOMENT
MITCHELL BEER
6YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 59.0KG
M D Beer, B Law, B Ciotti, C A Vraca, Mrs C Randalls, C Johnson, A J Meilak, G H Donlen, J Basile, J Ceglar, N Smulders, S Gallo, S Wade, T R Steinfort, Mrs P M Schloss, D J McGrath & Ms P A Mcgrath
Racing well recently. Last start 2nd of 7 at Moruya Bm82 on July 21 over 1660m, slow going nose behind Stonecoat with 61kg at $2.90. The start before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Kembla Grange Bm68 on June 21 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Satness with 56kg at $6.50. Went close last time. Proven in the going and looks a top three player.
3
RORY HUTCHINGS
Black, Red And Blue Lightning Bolt, Red Pom Pom
3 x5708 BLAZING REBEL
JEREMY SYLVESTER
9YO  BROWN  GELDING 57.0KG
Mrs K Flaherty, M A Hunter, Ms N E McMaster & M F Miller
At the latest run ran last of 8 at Caulfield Vgold Heath on July 12 over 2000m, on a slow track; 12 len behind Jimmy The Bear with 57kg at $61. The run before that second last of 13 at Sale Bm64 on July 6 over 1600m, in the wet; 13 len behind Makdane with 59kg at $21. Rates highly on best figures and gets his chance to turn things around.
5
Red, Black Stripes And Cap
4 624x8 BROK CAFE
PAUL MESSARA & LEAH GAVRANICH
5YO  BROWN  MARE 57.0KG
F Pollio
Second run back. First-up after nine months ran last of 8 at this track Cond Bm68 on July 12 over 1400m, on a slow track; 12 len behind Audrey's Lane with 58kg at $14. Previously second-up ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by a long-neck at Scone Bm82 August 19 over 1300m in heavy going defeating Wiggles carrying 55kg at $3. Fitter but hard to see her featuring.
8
AARON BULLOCK
White, Red Sash, Royal Blue And Navy Blue Checked Sleeves And Cap
5 74611 RAJNISH
CAMERON CROCKETT
6YO  BAY  GELDING 57.0KG
C Crockett, N B Huby, JJJ Racing Twilighting (Mgr: J J Fish), OHL (Mgr: J Fouracre), T P Orlizki, M A Wilson, C Allison, D V Cox, J Mckinnon, L Hawkins, Whitfield Thoroughbreds (Mgr: A J Whitfield), P J Seary, M K Palmer, P E Benson & D W Pickering
Recent form sound. At the latest run favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Tamworth Bm82 July 18 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating Ancient Egypt carrying 57kg at $2.60. The race before that favourite; won by 0.7 len at Tamworth Bm82 June 27 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Auzstar with 55kg at $5. Rates highly and should go well.
11
M BELL
Navy Blue, JJJ Racing Logo, White Sleeves, Light Blue Armbands, Light Blue Cap, Navy Blue Star
6 x2414 HIBIKI HARMONY
BRETT CAVANOUGH
4YO  CHESTNUT  MARE 55.0KG
Medius Enterprises Pty Ltd (Mgr: G W Lawrence), Ms S Gordon, Miss S E Gordon & A T Gordon
Most recently 4th of 10 at Grafton Graf Gneas on July 16 over 1600m, 3 len behind Ronny Bee with 55kg at $17. The race before that won by a nose at Tamworth Bm66 July 4 over 1600m in soft going defeating Arrabbiata carrying 55kg at $7. Not to be underestimated.
2
SIENNA GRIMA
White, Red Hoops, Yellow Sleeves, Red Cap
7 53415 WEALTHY INVESTOR
DAMIEN LANE
6YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Miss K J Law, 2829 (Mgr: L E Mulholland), S V Host, A Gray, J Roberts, L Nalder, 17 Unfortunates (Mgr: M B Heaney), Mrs C A D'silva, M B Heaney, M J T Kearney, P A Colley, M W Griffiths & Mrs M A Griffiths
At the latest run 5th of 10 at Tamworth Bm82 on July 18 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 5 len behind Rajnish with 56.5kg at $13. The run before that won by 1.2 len at Dubbo Bm82 June 29 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Rebel's Edge carrying 55kg at $5.50. Needs to do more. Doesn't appeal.
3
JEAN VAN OVERMEIRE
Royal Blue, White Quarters, Red Cap
8 6x249 TOM CRUISING
KERRY PARKER
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Mrs C Johnston
Last start 9th of 12 at this track Bm64 on July 12 over 1600m, slow going 7 len behind Hooligan Tommy carrying 57kg at $9.50. The run before that 4th of 9 at Kembla Grange Bm68 on June 21 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind Satness carrying 55kg at $12. Capable of sharp improvement.
7
BROCK RYAN
Purple, Yellow Diamond Band, Red Sleeves, Yellow Cap
9 33087 ANNULUS
SCOTT ASPERY
7YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Endeavour Bloodstock (Mgr: S Aspery)
Last start from last on the turn 7th of 9 at Wyong Bm64 on July 24 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind Dubai Warrior with 53.5kg at $26. The start before that got back early 8th of 10 at this track Cg&E Bm64 on July 15 over 1400m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Cold Brew with 56kg at $21. Looks tested in this line-up.
1
J PENZA
Royal Blue, Yellow Sash And Armbands
10 94x60 BROHM LAKE
STEVE ENGLEBRECHT
5YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
S Englebrecht, L Freeman & J Vartuli
Third-up today. Resuming 6th of 12 at Goulburn Bm58 on June 13 over 1300m, slow going 6 len behind Killer Kerr carrying 59kg at $16. Second run from a spell raced behind the speed prior to fading second last of 11 at Hawkesbury Bm64 on July 3 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind Oh Golly Gosh with 55kg at $61. Looking elsewhere.
4
DEANNE PANYA
Red, Red And Green Quarters, White Sleeves, Green Seams, Black Pom Pom
11 045x6 CHATEAUX PARK
JASON COYLE
9YO  B/BR  GELDING 55.0KG
Miss A M Double, DISCUSSION POINT RACING (Mgr: J Capararo), DA Lawson, Redemption Racing (Mgr: A J Smith), Luhela (Mgr: D C Atkins), Miss R A Walker, Mrs N A Atkins & Spratt Racing (Mgr: Miss E M Spratt)
Second run back. First-up after four months ran last in a small field at Gosford Mid Bm68 on July 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 10 len behind Hooligan Tommy with 55kg at $41. Previously second-up second last of 8 at Canterbury 5yo+ Bm78 on December 13 over 1550m, 6 len behind Bat Out Of Hell carrying 52kg at $41. Has won second up before but looks tested again.
6
MS JESS TAYLOR
Navy Blue, Grey Maltese Cross, Black Sleeves, White Cap
12 0x565 OCEAN SHORES
ALBERT O'HEARN
7YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Mrs H M Watson, C J Herne, Miss K Hampton & Mrs V M Herne
At the latest run got back early 5th of 7 at Scone Bm58 on July 11 over 1700m, 8 len behind Off The Scale carrying 55kg at $151. The race before that ran last in a small field at this track Bm68 on June 28 over 1400m, on heavy track; 17 len behind Crop Duster carrying 55kg at $91. Not at this stage.
7
LEESHELLE SMALL
Black, White Stripes And Armbands, White cap