Newcastle Race 4 - Somerset Meats Pace
APPLIED (8) turned in an uncharacteristically poor run last start when 15 metres away in seventh over 1609m at Menangle. Form prior to that had been solid. Tactics will be crucial from this wide draw. Finds a nice race and can improve sharply. JOHN MCLEAN (7) ran second last start at this track over 2030m, beaten 3 metres. Expect him to be prominent. ESCALERA (3) is on the radar after his last-start fourth over 1980m at Tamworth eight days ago. ROMANEE (2) last appeared when fourth over 1720m at Penrith four months ago. Must be respected.

Driver: Robert Morris
Stats
Comments
Last start 7th (Fr4) over 1730m after being wide early at Bathurst beaten 18 m by Heavenly Holly (2:02.90) in 4yo+ No NR M on March 29 at $31. At the start before 4th (Fr5) over 1730m after showing early pace at Bathurst, at the bell was 5th-8m 2WWC beaten 7 m by Windy Hill Tara (2:03.10) in 4yo+ NR up to 80 M on March 19 at $11. Has the inside draw which may spark a revival.
Last Starts 5 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7/10 | 29/03/2025 | 10 | No NR | $20,000.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Neutral | Joshua Gallagher | 1:54.3 | 4 |
| 18.4L | $31.00 |
4/8 | 19/03/2025 | 22 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Neutral | Robert Morris | 1:54.5 | 5 |
| 7.7L | $11.00 |
7/8 | 25/02/2025 | 150 | NR up to 60 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Robert Morris | 1:51.9 | 7 |
| 25.0L | $81.00 |
5/8 | 12/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Robert Morris | 0 |
| 12.9L | $0.00 | |
6/7 | 05/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Joshua Gallagher | 0 |
| 15.7L | $0.00 | |
6/8 | 28/09/2024 | 4 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | K A Morris | 1:54.4 | 7 |
| 16.2L | $9.00 |
6/8 | 24/09/2024 | 11 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Robert Morris | 1:51.4 | 8 |
| 25.4L | $26.00 |
7/10 | 13/09/2024 | 22 | NR up to 55 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | R P Morris | 1:54.5 | 1 |
| 10.4L | $8.50 |

Driver: Jake Bigeni
Stats
Comments
Resuming after four months off the scene. Finished off last preparation when beaten by 6 m finishing fourth after showing early speed, behind Promising at Penrith over 1720m in a NR up to 80 on December 5 at $17. Can measure up.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/4 | 19/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Jake Bigeni | 0 |
| 25.8L | $0.00 | |
4/9 | 05/12/2024 | 12 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Fast | Jake Bigeni | 1:56.4 | 2 |
| 6.7L | $17.00 |
7/10 | 23/11/2024 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Neutral | Jake Bigeni | 1:55.6 | 3 |
| 16.7L | $151.00 |
7/10 | 16/11/2024 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Jake Bigeni | 1:51.7 | 6 |
| 11.5L | $81.00 |
9/10 | 09/11/2024 | 14 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Chloe Formosa | 1:55.1 | 7 |
| 25.8L | $151.00 |
8/10 | 26/10/2024 | 4 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | J C Locke | 1:51.3 | 10 |
| 23.3L | $101.00 |
6/8 | 22/10/2024 | 122 | 3 0K/5 Starts | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Cameron Hart | 1:50.8 | 5 |
| 29.5L | $21.00 |
3/7 | 09/10/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Jack Brown | 0 |
| 8.4L | $0.00 |

Driver: Tom Ison
Stats
Comments
Last start 4th (Fr2) over 1980m after showing early speed at Tamworth was leading by 0.4m on the pegs at the bell, beaten 8 m by Rocktagonal (2:25.40) in NR up to 75 on March 27 at $2. Before that, a game effort when 2nd (Fr1) over 2030m after showing early pace at this track was leading by 4.1m on the pegs at the bell, beaten 1.5 m by First String (2:25.30) in NR up to 68 on March 13 at $7. Looks very hard to beat.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4/8 | 27/03/2025 | 14 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:58.2 | 2 |
| 8.9L | $2.00 |
2/8 | 13/03/2025 | 6 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:55.2 | 1 |
| 1.6L | $7.00 |
9/10 | 07/03/2025 | 15 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:52.5 | 1 |
| 43.5L | $26.00 |
2/10 | 20/02/2025 | 181 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:57.0 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $4.40 |
4/6 | 18/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | Emma Ison | 0 |
| 38.1L | $0.00 | |
1/6 | 01/10/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | Tom Ison | 0 |
| 12.6L | $0.00 | |
6/10 | 23/08/2024 | 15 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:55.3 | 2 |
| 17.7L | $14.00 |
6/10 | 08/08/2024 | 58 | NR up to 55 | $6,940.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Neutral | J L Coney | 1:59.6 | 4 |
| 7.1L | $3.60 |

Driver: Caitlin McElhinney
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th (Sr1) over 1980m at Tamworth was 7th-13.4m on the pegs at the bell, beaten 10 m by Rocktagonal (2:25.40) in NR up to 75 on March 27 at $6. At the run before was driven from back in the field when 6th (Fr4) over 2030m at this track, at the bell was 7th-14.6m 2WWC beaten 8 m by First String (2:25.30) in NR up to 68 on March 13 at $19. Capable of a better showing.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6/8 | 27/03/2025 | 14 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Neutral | Caitlin McElhinney | 1:58.2 | 1 |
| 10.1L | $6.00 |
6/8 | 13/03/2025 | 6 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Caitlin McElhinney | 1:55.2 | 4 |
| 8.7L | $19.00 |
10/10 | 07/03/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Caitlin McElhinney | 1:52.5 | 3 |
| 47.4L | $71.00 |
7/9 | 28/02/2025 | 42 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Caitlin McElhinney | 1:53.4 | 2 |
| 30.0L | $71.00 |
6/10 | 17/01/2025 | 3 | NR 60 to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:58.2 | 4 |
| 21.4L | $10.00 |
2/10 | 14/01/2025 | 39 | NR 65 to 80 | $12,240.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:59.0 | 2 |
| 0.2L | $8.00 |
1/5 | 07/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | Caitlin McElhinney | 0 |
| 17.5L | $0.00 | |
1/3 | 30/05/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | T M Ison | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Joe Taaffe
Stats
Comments
Last start was well back in the run when 7th (Fr7) over 2030m after showing early speed and racing wide at this track beaten 11 m by Ideal In Dreams (2:27.00) in NR up to 68 on March 21 at $14. Two runs back 2nd (Fr6) over 1609m after showing early speed at this track, at the bell was 3rd-4.2m on the pegs beaten 2.25 m by McCrikey (1:54.10) in NR 56 to 60 on March 17 at $6.50. Prefer others on this occasion.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7/9 | 21/03/2025 | 4 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Joe Taaffe | 1:56.5 | 7 |
| 11.1L | $14.00 |
2/6 | 17/03/2025 | 4 | NR 56 to 60 | $6,940.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Joe Taaffe | 1:54.1 | 6 |
| 2.3L | $6.50 |
1/8 | 13/03/2025 | 6 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Joe Taaffe | 1:55.2 | 2 |
| 1.6L | $41.00 |
9/10 | 07/03/2025 | 14 | NR up to 62 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Joe Taaffe | 1:57.9 | 7 |
| 20.8L | $81.00 |
10/10 | 21/02/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Mollly Ison | 1:53.7 | 1 |
| 141.6L | $13.00 |
8/9 | 14/02/2025 | 29 | NR up to 63 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Joe Taaffe | 1:52.9 | 3 |
| 5.8L | $10.00 |
2/7 | 09/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | Joe Taaffe | 0 |
| 0.5L | $0.00 | |
1/7 | 05/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | B J Elder | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |

Driver: Blake Hughes
Stats
Comments
Last start won by 1.5 m when quickly away, (Fr5) at this track (1:55.20) beating Matt Gregors Boy in NR up to 60 on March 21 at $26. Great chance to make it two in a row.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/7 | 21/03/2025 | 8 | NR up to 60 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Declan Murphy | 1:55.2 | 5 |
| 1.5L | $26.00 |
6/8 | 13/03/2025 | 6 | NR up to 63 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:55.1 | 1 |
| 6.5L | $8.00 |
5/10 | 07/03/2025 | 7 | NR up to 62 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Blake Hughes | 1:57.9 | 2 |
| 7.2L | $11.00 |
6/9 | 28/02/2025 | 4 | NR up to 63 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:53.8 | 5 |
| 8.6L | $14.00 |
1/10 | 24/02/2025 | 4 | NR 52 to 60 | $6,940.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:53.4 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $5.00 |
4/10 | 20/02/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Neutral | Grace Panella | 1:57.0 | 3 |
| 7.0L | $4.00 |
7/10 | 20/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Albion Park | 1660m | Good | M P Neilson | 0 |
| 10.2L | $0.00 | |
4/6 | 14/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Albion Park | 1660m | M P Neilson | 0 |
| 12.2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Seaton Grima
Stats
Comments
Improved last start with a solid effort when 2nd (Fr6) over 2030m after showing early pace at this track beaten 3 m by Ideal In Dreams (2:27.00) in NR up to 68 on March 21 at $2.70. Can retain the good form.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2/9 | 21/03/2025 | 13 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Seaton Grima | 1:56.5 | 6 |
| 3.2L | $2.70 |
7/12 | 08/03/2025 | 7 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Luke Dunne | 1:57.0 | 3 |
| 22.3L | $34.00 |
11/12 | 01/03/2025 | 141 | 1W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Melton | 1720m | Neutral | Josh Duggan | 1:53.1 | 1 |
| 39.1L | $101.00 |
4/4 | 17/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | G F Douglas | 0 |
| 4L | $0.00 | ||
1/9 | 11/10/2024 | 20 | NR 65 to 80 | $9,000.00 | Mildura | 1790m | Neutral | Ryan Backhouse | 1:58.2 | 1 |
| 1.8L | $4.60 |
9/11 | 21/09/2024 | 8 | NR 60 to 69 | $10,000.00 | Melton | 2240m | Neutral | Jack Laugher | 1:56.5 | 1 |
| 8.7L | $10.00 |
9/10 | 13/09/2024 | 7 | 1W/15 0K stake | $15,000.00 | Geelong | 1609m | Neutral | Josh Duggan | 1:54.7 | 7 |
| 11.8L | $81.00 |

Driver: Brad Elder
Stats
Comments
Last start was well beaten into seventh behind Timmy Rictor at Menangle over 1609m in a No NR on March 22 at $71. Raced better the start before that with a game effort when 3rd (Fr4) over 1609m at Menangle, at the bell was 3rd-3.8m 2WWC beaten 2.5 m by Timmy Rictor (1:51.20) in NR up to 80 on March 14 at $61. Ready to make amends.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7/10 | 22/03/2025 | 8 | No NR | $30,600.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | B J Elder | 1:49.2 | 2 |
| 15.0L | $71.00 |
3/10 | 14/03/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:51.2 | 4 |
| 2.6L | $61.00 |
1/10 | 07/03/2025 | 14 | NR up to 62 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:57.9 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $2.40 |
2/10 | 21/02/2025 | 7 | 4 WINs | $12,750.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Blake Hughes | 1:55.6 | 8 |
| 1.5L | $2.70 |
1/10 | 14/02/2025 | 7 | 2-4 WINs | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Blake Hughes | 1:55.1 | 6 |
| 16.8L | $4.80 |
1/10 | 07/02/2025 | 14 | NR up to 53 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Blake Hughes | 1:53.8 | 2 |
| 15.6L | $12.00 |
4/6 | 04/11/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Good | R L Brown | 0 |
| 15.7L | $0.00 | |
1/6 | 17/04/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | J W Brown | 0 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jack Callaghan
Stats
Comments
Last start 9th (Sr1) over 1609m at this track was 7th-11.6m on the pegs at the bell, beaten 14 m by Quaddie Vc (1:53.70) in 4yo+ NR up to 70 on February 21 at $11. Before that, was well back in the run when 9th (Fr7) over 1609m at Menangle beaten 45 m by The Narcissist (1:49.80) in 4-020yo+ o+ 0W/200K stake on February 8 at $151. Rates highly on best figures and he is a major player.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5/6 | 19/03/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Mark Callaghan | 0 |
| 12.4L | $0.00 | |
9/10 | 21/02/2025 | 13 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Will Rixon | 1:53.7 | 1 |
| 14.8L | $11.00 |
6/6 | 12/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | J W Cassar | 0 |
| 34.8L | $0.00 | ||
9/9 | 08/02/2025 | 49 | o+ 0W/200K stake | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Luke McCarthy | 1:49.8 | 7 |
| 43.7L | $151.00 |
10/10 | 21/12/2024 | 74 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:54.6 | 2 |
| 10.2L | $23.00 |
8/10 | 08/10/2024 | 10 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:53.2 | 2 |
| 14.5L | $12.00 |
9/10 | 28/09/2024 | 8 | No NR | $15,000.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:54.7 | 5 |
| 20.6L | $2.60 |
1/8 | 20/09/2024 | 13 | NR up to 65 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Will Rixon | 1:57.5 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $1.55 |