2:20am - AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP | 1850m | | i

Newcastle for the first ever 'Hunter' and what a field it is (Race 6). The rail is TRUE for the first time in a couple of months and a GOOD FAIR track is expected. Starting with a tactical race over 1850m, the Waterhouse and Bott gallopers RAPIDO CHAPARRO and FALCON ISLAND getting control in the lead. They like to roll along a little bit so a FAIR to STEADY tempo is forecast. Chances to HIGH OPINION and MASTER SHUHOOD off a freshen, both in-form and drawn nicely. HOUSE OF CARTIER should make a big step up here third-up (nice trial) and SIR PIPPIN was strong first-up over 1500m. FALCON ISLAND is the more solid of the Waterhouse chances, RAPIDO CHAPARRO deep in his prep and trying to bounce back off a poor run. [updated 8:58am]