Newcastle racing preview & best bets | Thursday, March 30
| What | Newcastle Races |
| Where | Newcastle Racecourse – 100 Darling St, Broadmeadow NSW 2292 |
| When | Thursday, March 30, 2023 |
| First Race | 1:10pm AEDT |
Racing heads to Newcastle Racecourse on Thursday for a competitive eight-race program headlined by the Provincial-Midway Wildcard. It’s a field of 15 set to stake their claim to the $150,000 on offer, along with a place in the Provincial-Midway Championship final. Conditions are going to be less than ideal, with rain likely to hit the track throughout the week, and it is already listed as a Soft 7. The rail is out +5m the entire circuit as racing gets underway at 1:10pm AEDT.
Provincial-Midway Wildcard: The Poacher
The Poacher looks ready to win on Thursday afternoon and book his ticket to the Provincial-Midway Championship. He’s third-up into the preparation now, and after finding the 1100m and 1200m sprints too sharp from his settling positions, getting out to the 140m look ideal for this son of No Nay Never. He was one of the clear eye-catchers at Gosford on March 16, where he was powering to the line again. He’s drawn barrier four on Thursday and should be tracking into this race nicely turning for home from a much better position. So long as Kerrin McEvoy can keep touch with the leaders at the top of the straight, The Poacher is the one to beat.
Provincial-Midway Wildcard
Race 7 – 
#2 The Poacher (4)
4yo Gelding | T: Brad Widdup | J: Kerrin McEvoy (57.5kg)
Best Bet at Newcastle: Gitalong
If we see the return of Gitalong on Thursday, he’s a very keen bet for us in the second race of the program. His form last preparation reads very well for this maiden, with two nice efforts behind Barber in NSW, plus another good run behind Sunsource in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic at Ballarat on November 19. Since being tipped out by the Hawkes team, he looks to resume after a 130-day spell and one very impressive barrier trial at Rosehill on March 13. He was trucking to the line in the jump-out and looks ready to fire a strong shot to his opposition on Thursday afternoon. He should lob on the back of the leaders from barrier two, and over the short trip of 900m he should be able to launch late to score a maiden victory.
Best Bet
Race 2 – 
#2 Gitalong (2)
2yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Koby Jennings (57kg)
Next Best at Newcastle: Karedada
We look to the last race at Newcastle for one of our better bets on the card as Karedada makes his return for the Angela Davies yard. He went to the paddock a dominant winner on October 24 at this same course and distance, going on to win by six lengths on the winning post. They then elected to spell this son of Wandjina, and with two nice jump-outs heading into this first-up assignment, we think he can put it all together again – particularly if we’re racing on a heavy surface come the last race. Andrew Gibbons can sums things up from barrier three before choosing what to do, and regardless of where he ends up, Karedada should be tough to be in this one.
Next Best
Race 8 – 
#2 Karedada (3)
3yo Gelding | T: Angela Davies | J: Andrew Gibbons (58.5kg)
Thursday quaddie tips for Newcastle races
Newcastle quadrella selections
Thursday, March 30, 2023
- 1-2-4-7-8
- 2-5-6
- 2-3-9-12
- 1-2
Investment: $120 for 100%