Newmarket Handicap – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

This promises to be a great Newmarket Handicap with a quality field of sixteen accepting and plenty of betting angles.  I Wish I Win comes up favourite following a cracking run first up in the Lightning Stakes.  He has 56.5kg to carry.  In Secret is vying for favouritism and she could not have been more impressive winning the Coolmore at this course and distance in the spring.  Private Eye has been set for this first up, while Lofty Strike was a very good second in the Oakleigh Plate.  The remaining runners are longer than $10-1.

1. Private Eye

Bolted in to win the Gilgai Stakes here first up in the spring in superb fashion, before going onto run second in The Everest.  Set for this.  One of the key winning hopes.

2. Mazu

Up and coming four year old gelding who was third in The Everest.  Each way chance.

3. I Wish I Win

Last years Golden Eagle winner.  He was the big flashing light run in the Lightning Stakes running home hard into second.  Has a little bit more weight than some may of anticipated but still looks a great hope in this.

4. Roch ‘N’ Horse

Won this race last year then won the Group 1 VRC Classic in the spring.  Loves the straight.

5. Baller

Was third in the VRC Classic this track and distance in the spring.  Now gets the services of Blake Shinn after a sound return in the Lightning.

6. Bella Nipotina

She ran well first up in the Lightning Stakes.  Chance.

7. September Run

Was fourth in the Lightning and loves the straight.  Won’t shock to see her run well here.

8. The Astrologist

Won the Gold Rush at Ascot last year and is another who loves the straight.  Consider for multiples.

9. Lofty Strike

Won the Rubiton first up, then was a very good closing second in the Oakleigh Plate.  One of the each way chances.

10. Chain Of Lightning

I was keen on her chances in the Oakleigh Plate following a very good run first up in the Rubiton.  She was very plain there however.  Could be worth another go.

11. Front Page

Patrick Moloney won this race last year on Roch ‘N’ Horse and I think he finds himself on another decent roughie here.  This horse wasn’t far away in the VRC Classic and drops 6.5kg for that effort.

12. Snapper

Outclassed here.

13. Star Patrol

Has a good record here and was a solid sixth in the Oakleigh Plate.  Has been very firm in early betting.

14. Swats That

She has talent but it’s hard to recommend her off recent form.

15. In Secret

Bolted in in the Coolmore Stud Stakes here last year.  Resumed with a good win in the Light Fingers at Randwick then looked the winner in the Surround but may of just failed to see out the 1400m.  Back to 1200m suits.

16. Buenos Noches

Thought his run first up in the Lightning was excellent and love that he has gone back to the trials since and trialled well.  Think he can run a huge race here with just 50.5kg on his back

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
16 Buenos Noches	3 I Wish I Win
3 I Wish I Win	15 In Secret
1 Private Eye	9 Lofty Strike
11 Front Page	6 Bella Nipotina