Tips and race-by-race guide for Newcastle on Sunday

2 hours ago 1

By John Schell

November 29, 2025 — 5.50pm

(Selections based on a good track)

Race 1

1. Uncle Barry is yet to win from 10 starts but has been placed in five of them. He finished third at Kembla Grange two starts ago and followed that up with a last-start fourth at Gundagai. He’s drawn awkwardly in this but has the talent to break through. 2. Doralee has been placed in four of seven starts and has finished second in each of her latest two races at Gosford and Kembla Grange either side of a spell. This looks to be a suitable assignment for her. 5. Like A Surgeon is a five-year-old mare on debut for trainer Brad Widdup and has been fitted for this with some solid trials. 7. Precious Girl has finished second in all three runs since resuming and should give a bold sight again.
How to play it: Uncle Barry to win.

Race 2

1. Bluebird Bay was behind the placings in his first three starts since resuming from a spell and then ran a better race when a last start second at Scone when he raced on the speed and battled on well. He can show up here with a repeat of that effort. 2. Doradus performed well when a last-start second at Kembla Grange and the step up in distance should suit. 5. Hardpoint has been placed in two of three starts since resuming and gets another chance to show up in this grade. 6. Ohtani was placed at Hawkesbury two starts ago and has place claims again on that effort.
How to play it: Bluebird Bay to win.

Race 3

14. Contemplates had two starts earlier in the year and finished third in both at Wyong and Gosford. She resumes here after two trials and won the latest of them at Rosehill. She looks set to sprint well fresh in this. 7. The Confidante is on debut and ran second to Contemplates in his latest trial. Expect a bold showing. 13. Explicit finished third at Kembla Grange at his third race start in May and resumes after two recent trials. 10. Tinklejazz is also on debut and performed well in her latest trial at Warwick Farm.
How to play it: Contemplates each way.

Race 4

1. Matias has had two runs back from a spell and has excelled in each of them, finishing second at Rosehill behind Long Legs and then second at Canterbury behind John Dory. That form looks good for a race like this, and he is poised to break through with a maiden victory. 5. War King is lightly raced with just three starts to his name and he followed a resuming third at Kembla Grange with a last-start fourth at Rosehill. This looks suitable. 3. Sponars was placed in his first two starts since resuming and has since been midfield in two Kembla Grange starts. He is worth another chance. 2. Naughton’s Bar is on debut after a number of trials and a forward showing would not surprise.
How to play it: Matias to win.

Race 5

2. Golden Loom has run well in his latest two starts, running second at this track before a last-start third at Kembla Grange. He is worth another chance here in what is an open race. 3. Meet Me In Bondi was first-up from a spell when a last-start fourth at Kembla Grange and should have benefitted from that effort. 4. Navy Buoy resumed from a spell with an Armidale win and is worth thought again. 7. Micro Magic has been racing well with a second at this track being followed by a Kembla Grange win and is worth thought again.
How to play it: Golden Loom each way.

Race 6

2. Tenbury Wells took on the top class three-year-old races in the autumn before being spelled. He disappointed in two Randwick runs in September and returns from another break here having finished sixth in a recent trial at Hawkesbury. Expect him to be primed for a bold first-up showing. 4. Bold And Blazen has been racing well, having scored strong on-pace wins at Gosford and Wyong at his past two starts. He can give plenty of cheek again. 6. Tact resumes from a spell after two trials and should be primed to perform well fresh. 8. Smart Serenade has been placed in two runs at Muswellbrook and Hawkesbury since scoring at Taree and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
How to play it: Tenbury Wells to win.

Race 7

2. Kenmare Bay resumes from a spell for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton and has been placed fresh. He won at Canterbury three starts ago and was a last-start fourth at Canterbury in July. He’s had two trials to prepare for this return to racing. 5. Chica Del Mar followed a second at Scone with a last-start Armidale victory and has claims again. 6. Dealt won at Goulburn in June and was spelled following a third at Warwick Farm. He has the talent to make an impact. 3. Swift Charm hit the line well to win the Kempsey Cup and can show up again.
How to play it: Kenmare Bay each way.