Two Koby Jennings rides resuming on Saturday with metropolitan form look the standout bets on the program at Newcastle but keen to have something on a $21 chance later in the day with a significant gear change.
We all love a long-priced winner so let's look at the big priced one first.
EMINENT DUKE (Race 7 No 13)
The Jan Bowen-trained Eminent Duke is not the most reliable of conveyances these days but there are a couple of factors at play on Saturday that suggest he can improve sharply in the Hit 106.9 Hurricane Handicap (900m).
Of most significance is the blinkers going back on.
Looking back through Eminent Duke's entire career blinkers have been worn in each of his five career victories.
Eminent Duke's overall career statistics read five wins and nine placings from 40-starts but the record with blinkers on is substantially better with five wins six placings from 22-starts.
With track and distance stats showing two wins and a second from three starts I have seen a lot worse $21 chances.
SEAGLASS (Race 1 No 3)
Jennings rides the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Seaglass who resumes after working home strongly when third in a Rosehill trial on September 4 and looks primed for a first-up win in the Fillies & Mares Class 1 Handicap over 1200m.
Seaglass showed promise in two runs in his first preparation finishing less than two-lengths from the winner at Randwick on debut before winning his maiden at Canterbury.
A $3.10 second favourite in early betting, Seaglass has the credentials to defeat the favourite Intrinsic from the Kris Lees yard.
NEWBURGH (Race 3 No 8)
Newburgh has the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes polish and Koby Jennings in the saddle with a third to the Golden Rose favourite Menari on debut at Randwick at his only run in his first preparation looking a strong form reference for a provincial maiden.
Newburgh was well backed resuming last start but was well beaten striking a heavy track, finishing the race lame and immediately turned out.
Newburgh was strong on the line winning a Rosehill trial on September 4 and would only have to be close to right to get the money.
