Newcastle Race 5 - Coca Cola Pace
ILLAWONG DANNY (1) continued a solid run of recent form when he scored at his latest appearance over 1609m at this track, getting home by 7 metres. No excuses from this advantageous draw. ITZMINEONTHELINE (7) scored at his most recent outing by a head at Maitland over 2422m after an encouraging minor placing the start before. The driver has some work to do from this wide starting position. Tackles a similar assignment and he can go right on with the job. SAINT CRUSADER (4) finished fourth last start over 2422m at Maitland. Generally runs very well at this circuit so can play a big role. APPLIED NZ (5) must be respected after scoring last start by 3.5 metres at Maitland over 2422m.

Driver: Brad Elder
Stats
Comments
Brings the right form to the table. Won by 7 m as favourite (Fr6) at this track (1:53.40) beating Metallica Man in NR up to 75 on December 20 at $2.40. Two runs back won by 2.25 m as favourite (Fr7) at Menangle (1:53.50) beating Lettuce Go Miki in 4yo+ NR up to 54 on December 13 at $1.70. Sure to feature again.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/9 | 20/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | B J Elder | 1:53.4 | 6 |
| 7.0L | $2.40 |
| 1/10 | 13/12/2025 | 8 | NR up to 54 | $25,500.00 | Menangle | 1609m | W | B J Elder | 1:53.5 | 7 |
| 2.2L | $1.70 |
| 1/9 | 05/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 58 | $12,240.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | B J Elder | 1:53.7 | 5 |
| 5.0L | $1.45 |
| 1/10 | 28/11/2025 | 10 | NR up to 54 | $10,000.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:53.1 | 7 |
| 11.3L | $2.25 |
| 1/9 | 18/11/2025 | 4 | NR 49 to 50 | $6,940.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:52.7 | 5 |
| 14.8L | $1.75 |
| 2/9 | 14/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 52 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Robert Morris | 1:55.2 | 6 |
| 1.5L | $2.50 |
| 1/4 | 22/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | B J Elder | 0 |
| 25L | $0.00 | |
| 5/5 | 21/06/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Yarra Valley | 2150m | R A Payne | 0 |
| 1L | $0.00 |

Driver: Michael Formosa
Stats
Comments
Last start 6th (Fr4) over 2422m at Maitland was 9th-17 at the bell, beaten 13 m by Itzmineontheline (2:56.30) in No NR on December 27 at $23. Before that, a good run despite getting well back, when 2nd (Fr6) over 2525m at Dubbo, beaten 11 m by Fashion Icon (3:04.80) in No NR on December 12 at $18. Bold showing expected.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/10 | 27/12/2025 | 15 | No NR | $12,240.00 | Maitland | 2422m | Fast | Michael Formosa | 1:57.2 | 4 |
| 13.8L | $23.00 |
| 2/10 | 12/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $15,300.00 | Dubbo | 2525m | Fast | Michael Formosa | 1:57.8 | 6 |
| 11.0L | $18.00 |
| 1/12 | 05/12/2025 | 14 | NR up to 70 | $14,500.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Michael Formosa | 1:56.2 | 2 |
| 3.1L | $3.70 |
| 5/11 | 21/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $14,500.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Michael Formosa | 1:55.9 | 1 |
| 20.6L | $5.00 |
| 4/9 | 14/11/2025 | 27 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Michael Formosa | 1:55.7 | 1 |
| 7.8L | $12.00 |
| 7/7 | 18/10/2025 | 8 | No NR | $25,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Chloe Formosa | 1:50.3 | 6 |
| 28.6L | $61.00 |
| 2/5 | 06/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Chloe Formosa | 0 |
| 15L | $0.00 | |
| 2/7 | 23/04/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Chloe Formosa | 0 |
| 23.4L | $0.00 |

Driver: Tom Ison
Stats
Comments
Solid performance when a close second behind Fast Tracker at Tamworth over 1980m in a NR up to 70 on December 11 at $15. Then a handy effort when beaten by 7 m finishing second behind Illawong Danny at this track over 1609m in a NR up to 75 on December 20 at $14. Expected to go well again.
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 | 20/12/2025 | 9 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:53.4 | 2 |
| 7.0L | $14.00 |
| 2/8 | 11/12/2025 | 20 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Chloe Formosa | 1:58.6 | 2 |
| 0.3L | $15.00 |
| 2/10 | 21/11/2025 | 6 | No NR | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:54.0 | 5 |
| 3.1L | $21.00 |
| 9/9 | 15/11/2025 | 15 | NR up to 75 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:52.4 | 1 |
| 31.9L | $15.00 |
| 7/7 | 31/10/2025 | 342 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:54.7 | 3 |
| 6.1L | $14.00 |
| 2/4 | 14/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Tom Ison | 0 |
| 5.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 1/3 | 07/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | Tom Ison | 0 |
| 1.4L | $0.00 | |
| 10/10 | 23/11/2024 | 21 | No NR | $20,770.00 | Albion Park | 1660m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:50.3 | 5 |
| 120.1L | $19.00 |

Driver: Jye Coney
Stats
Comments
Last start 4th (Sr2) over 2422m at Maitland was 8th-16.2 at the bell, beaten 9 m by Itzmineontheline (2:56.30) in No NR on December 27 at $13. Before that, a solid effort when 3rd (Sr1) over 2044m at Maitland, beaten 1.3 m by Laceys Lad (2:27.90) in NR up to 90 on December 19 at $3.20. Capable of playing a major role.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/10 | 27/12/2025 | 8 | No NR | $12,240.00 | Maitland | 2422m | Fast | J G Coney | 1:57.2 | 2 |
| 9.1L | $13.00 |
| 3/10 | 19/12/2025 | 13 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Maitland | 2044m | Neutral | Will Rixon | 1:56.4 | 1 |
| 1.3L | $3.20 |
| 9/10 | 06/12/2025 | 8 | NR up to 90 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | B L McDonough | 1:50.7 | 7 |
| 16.3L | $18.00 |
| 1/8 | 28/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Will Rixon | 1:53.6 | 6 |
| 3.1L | $6.00 |
| 4/10 | 21/11/2025 | 7 | No NR | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Zara Fitzpatrick | 1:54.0 | 4 |
| 6.9L | $7.00 |
| 3/9 | 14/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Ashleigh Delosa | 1:55.7 | 4 |
| 7.1L | $2.00 |
| 1/6 | 25/06/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Leigh Sutton | 0 |
| 5.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/6 | 18/06/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | K A McDeed | 0 |
| 19L | $0.00 |

Driver: Blake Hughes
Stats
Comments
Last start won on the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 3.5 m after showing early speed, (Fr4) at Maitland (2:57.10) beating Master Catch in No NR on December 27 at $7.50 at the bell was 3rd-5.2. Big chance of back-to-back wins.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/6 | 27/12/2025 | 8 | No NR | $9,790.00 | Maitland | 2422m | Fast | B J Elder | 1:57.7 | 4 |
| 3.7L | $7.50 |
| 4/10 | 19/12/2025 | 21 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Maitland | 2044m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:56.4 | 5 |
| 6.2L | $26.00 |
| 5/8 | 28/11/2025 | 11 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:53.6 | 5 |
| 10.9L | $18.00 |
| 8/10 | 17/11/2025 | 45 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Cooper Griffiths | 1:54.4 | 6 |
| 5.9L | $51.00 |
| 1/7 | 12/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | B J Elder | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 3/5 | 05/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | B J Elder | 0 |
| 4L | $0.00 | |
| 5/8 | 03/10/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | Cooper Griffiths | 1:53.1 | 2 |
| 11.5L | $11.00 |
| 4/9 | 26/09/2025 | 6 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Neutral | B J Elder | 1:51.6 | 1 |
| 11.7L | $6.50 |

Driver: Robert Morris
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much last time out, surrendered the lead and finished 10th (Fr1) over 2300m after showing early pace at Menangle beaten 24 m by Van Basten (2:41.90) in NR up to 95 on December 20 at $34. Before that was driven from back in the field when 9th (Fr10) over 1609m at Menangle was 8th-16.79 at the bell, beaten 10 m by Red Reactor (1:54.10) in NR up to 70 on December 15 at $19. Must do a lot more.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/10 | 20/12/2025 | 5 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:53.3 | 1 |
| 24.1L | $34.00 |
| 9/10 | 15/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:54.1 | 10 |
| 10.1L | $19.00 |
| 7/10 | 08/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:51.1 | 10 |
| 14.1L | $17.00 |
| 4/10 | 01/12/2025 | 9 | NR up to 70 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:53.1 | 4 |
| 4.7L | $2.20 |
| 8/9 | 22/11/2025 | 12 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Chris Geary | 1:51.1 | 4 |
| 12.7L | $34.00 |
| 7/8 | 10/11/2025 | 44 | 5 0K/5 Starts | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Robert Morris | 1:53.0 | 3 |
| 13.2L | $26.00 |
| 5/6 | 28/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Good | Vaughan Duncan | 0 |
| 39.1L | $0.00 | |
| 3/4 | 28/04/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Good | Robert Morris | 0 |
| 4.3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Seaton Grima
Stats
Comments
In good form recently. Last start came from midfield and won by a head (Sr1) at Maitland (2:56.30) beating Loyalist in No NR on December 27 at $6 at the bell was 5th-11.8. Bold showing expected again.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/10 | 27/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $12,240.00 | Maitland | 2422m | Fast | Seaton Grima | 1:57.2 | 1 |
| 0.2L | $6.00 |
| 3/10 | 20/12/2025 | 14 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | J B Meikle | 1:51.6 | 8 |
| 3.1L | $7.00 |
| 5/10 | 06/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Seaton Grima | 1:50.7 | 3 |
| 7.7L | $5.50 |
| 2/10 | 29/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Ashleigh Delosa | 1:53.6 | 9 |
| 1.5L | $5.50 |
| 2/8 | 22/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Ashleigh Delosa | 1:53.8 | 5 |
| 0.2L | $2.50 |
| 5/10 | 15/11/2025 | 10 | NR up to 75 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Ashleigh Delosa | 1:53.6 | 2 |
| 4.9L | $5.00 |
| 6/6 | 13/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | J Conolly | 0 |
| 25.7L | $0.00 | |
| 1/2 | 07/04/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Penrith | 2525m | Good | Klayton Bigeni | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Joshua Gallagher
Stats
Comments
Last start 7th (Fr4) over 1609m at Menangle, at the bell was 7th-11.41 beaten 5.5 m by Dukes Choice (1:51.40) in NR up to 80 on December 20 at $23. Two runs back was well back in the run when 2nd (Fr6) over 1609m at Menangle beaten 3 m by Erupt Stride (1:52.70) in NR up to 80 on December 13 at $10. Facing a tough assignment this time around.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 20/12/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $30,600.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:51.4 | 4 |
| 5.5L | $23.00 |
| 2/10 | 13/12/2025 | 9 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | W | Chris Geary | 1:52.7 | 6 |
| 3.0L | $10.00 |
| 5/10 | 04/12/2025 | 5 | NR up to 80 | $9,790.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Fast | B L McDonough | 1:54.2 | 4 |
| 6.1L | $13.00 |
| 10/10 | 29/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Chris Geary | 1:53.6 | 10 |
| 11.3L | $31.00 |
| 3/7 | 22/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Will Rixon | 1:51.9 | 5 |
| 6.4L | $2.70 |
| 8/10 | 15/11/2025 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | B L McDonough | 1:54.3 | 9 |
| 35.2L | $81.00 |
| 1/8 | 12/02/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Cameron Hart | 0 |
| 3.8L | $0.00 | |
| 3/7 | 22/05/2024 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | S M Grima | 0 |
| 3.4L | $0.00 |

Driver: Aaron Garaty
Stats
Comments
Second up after running 10th (Sr4) over 2044m at Maitland beaten 60 m by Laceys Lad (2:27.90) in NR up to 90 on December 19 at $51. Might need more time.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/10 | 19/12/2025 | 126 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Maitland | 2044m | Neutral | Aaron Garaty | 1:56.4 | 4 |
| 57.7L | $51.00 |
| 2/5 | 28/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Aaron Garaty | 0 |
| 0.2L | $0.00 | ||
| 9/9 | 15/08/2025 | 13 | NR 57 to 65 | $9,790.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Neutral | Joshua Gallagher | 1:55.8 | 2 |
| 67.4L | $4.60 |
| 4/4 | 06/08/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Joshua Gallagher | 0 |
| 9.7L | $0.00 | |
| 10/10 | 02/08/2025 | 12 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Kerryann Morris | 1:51.3 | 9 |
| 49.3L | $26.00 |
| 2/9 | 21/07/2025 | 11 | 5 0K/5 Starts | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Joshua Gallagher | 1:52.6 | 9 |
| 4.2L | $4.00 |
| 2/10 | 10/07/2025 | 8 | NR up to 68 | $9,790.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Neutral | Nathan Turnbull | 1:56.5 | 3 |
| 1.1L | $2.20 |
| 10/10 | 02/07/2025 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $9,790.00 | Bathurst | 1730m | Neutral | Nathan Turnbull | 1:57.0 | 1 |
| 8.8L | $15.00 |

Driver: Chloe Formosa
Stats
Comments
Didn't do much last time out, 7th (Sr3) over 2422m at Maitland was 7th-14.8 at the bell, beaten 14 m by Itzmineontheline (2:56.30) in No NR on December 27 at $31. Before that 6th (Fr7) over 1609m at Menangle, at the bell was 10th-20.81 beaten 9 m by Michaywey (1:50.60) in 4-020yo+ 0W/20K Stakes on December 20 at $34. Finds a few better. This looks far too tough.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 27/12/2025 | 7 | No NR | $12,240.00 | Maitland | 2422m | Fast | Mark Callaghan | 1:57.2 | 3 |
| 14.6L | $31.00 |
| 6/10 | 20/12/2025 | 147 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:50.6 | 7 |
| 9.9L | $34.00 |
| 1/7 | 10/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Mark Callaghan | 0 |
| 4.3L | $0.00 | |
| 3/5 | 03/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | Mark Callaghan | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 | |
| 8/10 | 26/07/2025 | 14 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:52.1 | 2 |
| 53.1L | $9.50 |
| 2/10 | 12/07/2025 | 14 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:52.0 | 5 |
| 9.2L | $4.60 |
| 9/10 | 28/06/2025 | 28 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:50.0 | 8 |
| 38.9L | $9.50 |
| 5/9 | 31/05/2025 | 14 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Neutral | Jack Callaghan | 1:53.2 | 2 |
| 4.2L | $1.70 |