NEWCASTLE and SUNSHINE COAST PREVIEWS with Chris Scholtz – May 11

Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the NEWCASTLE and SUNSHINE COAST meetings  on May 11.

SUNSHINE COAST May 11

Meeting transferred from Gold Coast

TRACK RATING: Heavy 10 (8am Friday); RAIL: True

Best Bet

RACE 3 (11) TOJAKI: Comes off an easy 1200m win at Eagle Farm when third up. Capable of more improvement with the return to her home track where she is unbeaten coupled with the rise to 1400m, having won four of her five starts over the trip.

RACE 8 (18) FIRESTORM: Former Kiwi filly has impressed in her three Australian starts for Chris Waller with every outing indicating she wants more ground. That was clearly evident last time at Eagle Farm where she charged through the line for a close third in the Princess Stakes (1600m). The step up to 1800m looks ideal with J Mac – her rider when she won first-up at Randwick – back in the saddle.

FOR VALUE

RACE 9 (10) HARDWARE LANE: Took the eye with his strong first-up fourth over 1000m at Eagle Farm and rising in class is sure to appreciate a considerable drop in weight. He was beaten a nose over this trip in his only previous start at this track and gets conditions to suit as he revels in affected ground, boasting five wins on soft and heavy tracks.

QUADDIE

RACE 6: 3-7-10-5-14-6

RACE 7: 2-4-5-8

RACE 8: 18-12-1-3-11

RACE 9: 10-1-11-16

NEWCASTLE May 11

Meeting transferred from Gosford.

TRACK RATING: Soft 7 (8am Friday); Rail: True

Best Bets

RACE 5 (9) SCARLET OAK: Made her Sydney debut for Chris Waller with a game second in the G3 James Carr over 1400m at Randwick where she just lacked the required race fitness for the heavy conditions. It was a classy effort from a filly having only her second career start after winning a maiden on a soft track in NZ in March. She’ll appreciate 1600m and is well placed in this company to improve off her Randwick placing.

RACE 6 (9) HEZASHOCKA: Genuine wet tracker will enjoy the soft conditions with the transfer to the big Newcastle track another plus. Hasn’t won since he was a 4YO but he’s a G2 winner with some excellent form in high class G1 events (third in a Mackinnon Stakes and fourth in the QEII at Randwick) and rates to win coming off his recent efforts in Group races at the Sydney carnival.

RACE 9 (3) JEDIBEEL: Progressive Savabeel gelding made an impressive return from a six months spell to win by a clear margin over 1000m on the Kensington, coming off a fast pace under 60.5kg for his fourth win in 10 starts. He boasts a win and two placings from three starts on soft and heavy and while the distance reduction to 900m is not ideal the long run home will give him his chance to run down some obvious speedsters.

Selections

RACE 1: (7) POINT AND SHOOT; (1) Imperial Force; (3) Sovereign Hill; (9) Thundering Soul

RACE 2: (7) NAVY BLOOD; (5) Silvanito; (14) Bodgie; (3) Flying Destiny

RACE 3: (12) COOL DUKE; (6) Tanglewood; (3) Remember Jack; (17) Fuld’s Doubt

RACE 4: (3) DESPERADO; (2) Speycaster; (8) Our Maryanne; (14) Naval Commission

RACE 5: (9) SCARLET OAK; (4) Nana’s Wish; (13) Dances With Hooves; (14) Callistemon

RACE 6: (9) HEZASHOCKA; (4) Goldman; (10) Not Usual Glorious; (3) Bois D’Argent

RACE 7: (11) TASHI; (9) Diamond Diesel; (12) Ballroom Bella; (16) Semillion

RACE 8: (11) HOLLYWOOD HERO; (9) Tavi Time; (3) Iknowastar; (5) Golden Path

RACE 9: (3) JEDIBEEL; (5) Passeggiata; (7) Storm The Ramparts; (2) Mogo Magic

RACE 10: (12) HEURISTIC; (5) Starman; (6) Cruel Summer; (3) Baroque Road

Why They Can Win….

RACE 1: (7) POINT AND SHOOT – Promising debut. Appeals as a big improver.

RACE 2: (7) NAVY BLOOD – Going well in his trials. Ready for this fresh.

RACE 3: (12) COOL DUKE – Three starts, three wins on heavy tracks by big margins. Can deliver again.

RACE 4: (4) DESPERADO – Good Victorian form for this class. Likes soft tracks.

RACE 7: (11) TASHI – Fit mare sure to run her usual honest race. No issues with affected track.

RACE 8: (11) HOLLYWOOD HERO: Will relish dropping to the limit weight from impressive midweek win. Value play of the day.

RACE 10: (12) HEURISTIC – Strong work late when resuming. Group 3 winner well placed with weight relief.