Lucky Number 7! – Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th November 2026

The Newcastle Herald Hunter | Saturday 14 November 2026 | 1300m

TOP SELECTION: No. 6 SWEYNESDAY (NZ)

Confidence: 7/10

Sweynesday is my selection based on his recent second at Randwick, favourable barrier 6 and manageable 55kg weight. His six wins from 14 starts demonstrate his ability, and he looks well placed to get an economical run.

MAIN DANGER: No. 2 GENERAL SALUTE

A proven Group 3 performer who has strong recent form. The main concern is his 59kg impost.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 9 Accredited – Barrier 1 and 53.5kg make him a threat.

No. 7 Infancy – Drawn barrier 5 with 54.5kg and improving form.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 6. Sweynesday

2nd – 2. General Salute

3rd – 9. Accredited

4th – 7. Infancy

BETTING VERDICT: VALUE BACK at $7.00 or bigger.

Estimated win probability: 17% (subjective)

Estimated fair odds: $5.88

Saturday 14 November 2026 | 3:45pm AEDT

Move To Strike Thoroughbred Club Stakes | Group 3 | 1200m | $1,000,000

TOP SELECTION: No. 2 NATURAL FLING

Confidence: 7/10 – Moderate to High

Natural Fling has the strongest overall credentials in this competitive three-year-old fillies’ sprint. She won the Group 3 Quezette Stakes by more than four lengths, then finished third in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Sandown and second in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes. Her latest ninth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes was disappointing, but a return to Sandown and a race around a bend could help her rebound.

Damian Lane rides from barrier 8, and her record of two wins and five top-three finishes from six starts is impressive. She carries 57.5kg, so this is not an easy assignment, but her proven Group-level ability gives her the edge.

MAIN DANGER: No. 13 AROUSED

An exciting lightly raced filly with a win and a second from two starts. Barrier 3 and 56kg are significant positives. She is stepping up sharply in class but has plenty of upside.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 8 Sequinned – Three wins from seven starts and a strong overall rating, although her recent form raises some questions.

No. 9 Affari – Barrier 1, 56kg and a remarkably consistent record. An excellent chance of finishing in the placings.

No. 6 Caddington – Two wins from three starts and a potentially dangerous progressive runner.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 2. Natural Fling

2nd – 13. Aroused

3rd – 9. Affari

4th – 8. Sequinned

BETTING VERDICT: BACK at $4.50 or bigger; PASS at shorter odds.

Estimated winning probability: 24% (subjective)

Estimated fair odds: $4.17

Indicative available odds: $4.00

Saturday 14 November 2026 | 4:25pm AEDT

Sportsbet C.F. Orr Stakes | Group 1 | 1400m | $1,000,000

TOP SELECTION: No. 5 BEIWACHT

Confidence: 7/10 – Moderate to High

Beiwacht is my selection in this competitive Group 1. He has an outstanding three-from-three record over 1400m and comes into the race following two close third-place finishes at Randwick, most recently beaten approximately 1.1 lengths in the Golden Eagle over 1500m.

Barrier 3 and James McDonald are major positives. Beiwacht should race prominently and could control the tempo in this small eight-runner field. The return to 1400m looks ideal.

MAIN DANGER: No. 3 ANGEL CAPITAL

A Group 1 winner with a strong record at 1400m. His late finishing speed and Sandown’s long straight make him dangerous, particularly if Beiwacht faces pressure up front.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 8 Shadhavar – In winning form, barrier 2 and just 57kg. A serious threat.

No. 1 Jimmysstar – Proven Group 1 performer, drawn barrier 1, capable of winning if returning to peak form.

No. 2 Pericles – Last-start winner with Group 1 credentials, although barrier 8 makes things harder.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 5. Beiwacht

2nd – 3. Angel Capital

3rd – 8. Shadhavar

4th – 1. Jimmysstar

BETTING VERDICT: BACK at $3.50 or bigger; PASS at $3.10.

Estimated winning probability: 30% (subjective)

Estimated fair odds: $3.33

Current indicative market price: $3.10

Preferred minimum: $3.50

Saturday 14 November 2026 | 4:32pm AEST

CBT Keith Noud Stakes | Listed | 1200m | $160,000

TOP SELECTION: No. 7 NOW IS THE HOUR

Confidence: 7/10

Now Is The Hour is my selection following an impressive first-up victory at Doomben. He has a favourable barrier 1 draw, carries just 54kg and has the early speed to establish a strong position. His recent win suggests he is ready to perform well again, although the race contains several experienced rivals.

MAIN DANGER: No. 3 RESTONICA

A strong last-start winner at Doomben with an excellent record at the track. Barrier 3 is favourable, although he carries 59.5kg.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 6 About To Explode – Consistent runner from the Tony Gollan stable, carrying 56kg.

No. 1 Enriched – Proven against stronger opposition but has barrier 9 and 60kg to overcome.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 7. Now Is The Hour

2nd – 3. Restonica

3rd – 6. About To Explode

4th – 1. Enriched

BETTING VERDICT: PASS at $2.35; reconsider at $2.70 or bigger.

Saturday 14 November 2026 | 5:00pm AWST

Tabtouch – Placid Ark Stakes | Listed | 1200m

TOP SELECTION: No. 1 AFIREOFGIDGEECOALS

Confidence: 6.5/10 – Moderate

A proven Group 2 winner over 1200m at Ascot, with two wins and six top-three finishes from seven career starts. His latest two narrow second placings indicate strong current form. Returning to 1200m should suit, and Lucy Fiore rides from barrier 7.

MAIN DANGER: No. 10 ONE LAST RESORT

Last-start winner, drawn barrier 3 with William Pike aboard. Has placed in five of six starts.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 11 Achy Breaky – Two career wins, 55kg and Chris Parnham aboard, but barrier 18 is a concern.

No. 4 Levati Dimezzo – Last-start winner with consistent form, although drawn wide in barrier 17.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 1. Afireofgidgeecoals

2nd – 10. One Last Resort

3rd – 11. Achy Breaky

4th – 4. Levati Dimezzo

BETTING VERDICT: BACK at $2.80 or bigger; PASS at $2.60.

Estimated winning probability: 37% (subjective)

Estimated fair odds: $2.70

Sunday 15 November 2026

Ladbrokes Moe Cup | 2050m | $130,000

TOP SELECTION: RELENTLESS VOYAGER (GB)

Confidence: 6/10 – Moderate

The highest-rated nominee on 105, with proven form against stronger opposition. Trained by Ciaron Maher, he has the class to win this race, but the nominated 64.5kg is a major concern.

MAIN DANGER: MAGNASPIN

Proven around 2050m, with two wins at the distance. Recent second in the Seymour Cup and third in Listed company at Flemington make him a serious contender.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

AL DUCA – Eight career wins and consistent form, but unproven beyond 1800m.

GRAND PIERRO – Proven over longer trips but needs to improve on recent performances.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – Relentless Voyager

2nd – Magnaspin

3rd – Al Duca

4th – Grand Pierro

Sunday 15 November 2026

Batavia Sprint | 1200m | $125,000

TOP SELECTION: No. 1 NORICH

Confidence: 6/10 – Moderate

Norich is the joint-highest-rated nominee on 82, sharing that rating with Thermosphere Lad. The Karen Kersley-trained eight-year-old has the class to be competitive, although the nominated 60kg is a concern. The listed barrier 1 is preliminary and not a confirmed final draw.

MAIN DANGER: No. 10 BOLTA

Excellent Geraldton record of four wins and two seconds from nine starts. Four wins over 1200m and narrowly beaten at Geraldton on 3 November.

OTHER CONTENDERS:

No. 2 Thermosphere Lad – Joint-highest handicap rating of 82.

No. 6 Climb On Top – Two consecutive wins and a strong sprinting record, although rising in class.

PREDICTED FINISH:

1st – 1. Norich

2nd – 10. Bolta

3rd – 2. Thermosphere Lad

4th – 6. Climb On Top