Newcastle Race 5 - John Taylor Memorial
KANENA PROVLIMA (7) did a good job for a last-start placing at Menangle and came from a similar barrier to this to win the last time he raced here, taking his record at this circuit and distance to two from three. He is well placed. LIGHT ME UP NZ (1) is racing well having finished about 1.5m off the winner in two starts here since winning at Penrith. Suited up in distance having recorded two wins and a placing in three tries at it here and should get every chance from the ace draw. DANCE WITH CARMER (3) drew wide and worked in the city last start but had strong Menangle form prior, winning from wider than this two back. MASTER CATCH (8) recovered form an early break to finish only 1.5m off the winner when runner-up here last week. Draws wide but is up to winning if he gets it right.

Driver: Jorja Daskalovski
Stats
Comments
Not far away at the last couple starts; Finished 1.5 m fourth behind Force Full at this track over 1609m No NR last start. Before that was beaten 1.5 metres fourth again at this track in NR up to 90 on May 1. One of the top chances from the inside draw.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 08/05/2026 | 7 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:52.8 | 6 |
| 1.6L | $4.00 |
| 4/10 | 01/05/2026 | 15 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:56.0 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $14.00 |
| 1/9 | 16/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:56.1 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $2.50 |
| 9/10 | 09/04/2026 | 12 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Penrith | 2125m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:56.6 | 3 |
| 15.5L | $9.00 |
| 8/10 | 28/03/2026 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | J L Daskalovski | 1:52.7 | 5 |
| 17.8L | $10.00 |
| 10/10 | 21/03/2026 | 8 | NR up to 85 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:52.0 | 10 |
| 16.6L | $34.00 |
| 5/6 | 12/11/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Joshua Gallagher | 0 |
| 3.7L | $0.00 |

Driver: Blake Hughes
Stats
Comments
Last start was driven from back in the field when 7th (Fr8) over 2300m at Menangle, beaten 23 m by Seasider (2:43.70) in 3yo+ LR No NR on May 2 at $126. At the run before good run when 2nd (Sr2) over 1980m at Tamworth, at the bell was 4th-5.66 beaten 6 m by Ashleys Blue Chip (2:23.40) in NR up to 70 on April 16 at $2.90. May be competitive from a low draw.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/12 | 02/05/2026 | 16 | No NR | $150,000.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Blake Hughes | 1:54.5 | 8 |
| 23.6L | $126.00 |
| 2/8 | 16/04/2026 | 6 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Chloe Formosa | 1:56.6 | 2 |
| 6.6L | $2.90 |
| 3/9 | 10/04/2026 | 77 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Blake Hughes | 1:52.9 | 6 |
| 2.8L | $8.50 |
| 1/4 | 31/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | A J Missen | 0 |
| 1.1L | $0.00 | |
| 3/10 | 23/01/2026 | 7 | No NR | $15,300.00 | Tamworth | 2360m | Dead | J G Coney | 1:56.1 | 5 |
| 12.5L | $34.00 |
| 8/9 | 16/01/2026 | 34 | NR 60 to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Blake Hughes | 1:56.5 | 4 |
| 25.7L | $13.00 |
| 2/4 | 23/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | C S James | 0 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 | |
| 6/10 | 13/12/2025 | 8 | NR up to 80 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | W | Blake Hughes | 1:51.7 | 6 |
| 14.0L | $15.00 |

Driver: Vaughan Duncan
Stats
Comments
Failed to impress last start; was driven from back in the field when 7th (Fr7) over 1609m after racing wide at Menangle, beaten 21 m by Soho Gunslinger (1:48.90) in NR up to 95 on May 2 at $3.20. Showed ability the race before when he posted a big 12 m win as favourite (Fr6) at Menangle (2:43.90) beating Piccadilly Pete in NR up to 95 on April 25 at $2.30 at the bell was leading 2.53. Has fared much better at the draw and can measure up.
Last Starts 13 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 02/05/2026 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:48.9 | 7 |
| 21.3L | $3.20 |
| 1/10 | 25/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:54.7 | 6 |
| 12.0L | $2.30 |
| 4/9 | 18/04/2026 | 22 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:50.6 | 9 |
| 6.0L | $26.00 |
| 2/10 | 27/03/2026 | 6 | No NR | $30,600.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:51.3 | 9 |
| 1.7L | $5.00 |
| 1/10 | 21/03/2026 | 21 | NR up to 85 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:51.9 | 9 |
| 0.1L | $5.00 |
| 1/4 | 11/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | R J Mercieca | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 | |
| 8/10 | 28/02/2026 | 7 | No NR | $30,600.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:48.9 | 10 |
| 21.3L | $71.00 |
| 2/6 | 21/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | R J Mercieca | 0 |
| 2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Tom Ison
Stats
Comments
Won three starts back at this track over 1609m NR up to 90 on April 10. Last time out 7th (Sr1) over 1609m at this track was 7th-12.62 at the bell, beaten 5.5 m by Laceys Lad (1:56.00) in NR up to 90 on May 1 at $23. Could bounce back.
Last Starts 14 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 01/05/2026 | 14 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:56.0 | 1 |
| 5.6L | $23.00 |
| 3/10 | 17/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:53.9 | 3 |
| 2.0L | $4.40 |
| 1/9 | 10/04/2026 | 72 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:52.9 | 7 |
| 2.3L | $10.00 |
| 1/4 | 24/03/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Good | Tom Ison | 0 |
| 12.5L | $0.00 | |
| 3/10 | 28/01/2026 | 12 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:52.3 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $10.00 |
| 6/10 | 16/01/2026 | 3 | NR 60 to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:58.7 | 5 |
| 7.1L | $6.50 |
| 2/10 | 13/01/2026 | 10 | NR 65 to 80 | $14,280.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:58.6 | 3 |
| 1.7L | $12.00 |
| 2/4 | 14/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Tom Ison | 0 |
| 5.2L | $0.00 |

Driver: Caitlin McElhinney
Stats
Comments
Last start was driven from back in the field when 7th (Fr7) over 2300m at Menangle, at the bell was 6th-12.16 beaten 18 m by Franco Novelist (2:42.60) in 4-020yo+ 0W/20K Stakes on May 9 at $41. Two runs back 4th (Sr4) over 2470m at Forbes, at the bell was 2nd-3.1 beaten 7 m by Mike Ross in NR up to 80 on April 26. Others make more appeal.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/10 | 09/05/2026 | 13 | 0W/20K Stakes | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:53.8 | 7 |
| 18.3L | $41.00 |
| 4/10 | 26/04/2026 | 14 | NR up to 80 | $15,300.00 | Forbes | 2470m | Fast | Tom Ison | NTT | 4 |
| 7.5L | $1.00 |
| 1/6 | 12/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Narrabri | 2560m | Fast | Tom Ison | 1:58.7 | 1 |
| 1.8L | $1.70 |
| 1/9 | 05/04/2026 | 10 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Narrabri | 2160m | Neutral | Tom Ison | 1:58.5 | 2 |
| 3.5L | $1.95 |
| 3/10 | 26/03/2026 | 14 | NR up to 70 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1609m | Fast | Tanner Brown | 1:55.8 | 5 |
| 5.4L | $26.00 |
| 2/8 | 12/03/2026 | 7 | NR up to 75 | $9,790.00 | Tamworth | 1980m | Fast | Caitlin Mcelhinney | 1:57.9 | 1 |
| 0.3L | $6.50 |
| 2/5 | 20/01/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | Ellen Tormey | 0 |
| 0L | $0.00 | ||
| 3/4 | 18/12/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Bendigo | 2150m | J Duggan | 0 |
| 3L | $0.00 |

Driver: Grace Panella
Stats
Comments
Racing consistently with minor placings at his last two starts at this course. Placed last start 3rd (Fr5) over 1609m at this track, at the bell was 6th-9.85 beaten 1.5 m by Force Full (1:52.80) in No NR on May 8 at $23. Before that 3rd (Fr3) over 1609m after showing early speed at this track was 4th-5.88 at the bell, beaten 1.4 m by Mr Teddy (1:54.90) in NR up to 69 on May 1 at $14. Prefer others on this occasion.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 08/05/2026 | 7 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:52.8 | 5 |
| 1.6L | $23.00 |
| 3/10 | 01/05/2026 | 14 | NR up to 69 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:54.9 | 3 |
| 1.4L | $14.00 |
| 4/10 | 17/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:53.9 | 8 |
| 2.7L | $61.00 |
| 5/9 | 10/04/2026 | 8 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:52.9 | 4 |
| 6.2L | $7.50 |
| 4/9 | 02/04/2026 | 9 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:55.3 | 5 |
| 10.8L | $19.00 |
| 4/9 | 24/03/2026 | 7 | NR up to 68 | $10,000.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Grace Panella | 1:52.7 | 9 |
| 7.4L | $3.30 |
| 6/6 | 26/04/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | B J Elder | 0 |
| 14.6L | $0.00 | ||
| 5/5 | 12/03/2023 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | C J Griffiths | 0 |
| 21L | $0.00 |

Driver: Robert Morris
Stats
Comments
Two back was well beaten into ninth after a quick start, behind Soho Gunslinger at Menangle over 1609m in a NR up to 95 on May 2 at $41. Then a handy effort when beaten by 4.5 m finishing third behind Jorge Street at Menangle over 1609m in a NR up to 95 on May 9 at $41. Comes off a city placing and won the last time he raced here.
Last Starts 6 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/10 | 09/05/2026 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Kerryann Morris | 1:50.9 | 5 |
| 4.7L | $41.00 |
| 9/9 | 02/05/2026 | 7 | NR up to 95 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Kerryann Morris | 1:48.9 | 5 |
| 27.1L | $41.00 |
| 8/10 | 25/04/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:49.8 | 4 |
| 13.4L | $101.00 |
| 7/10 | 18/04/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Kerryann Morris | 1:53.8 | 2 |
| 17.8L | $151.00 |
| 10/10 | 11/04/2026 | 9 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Joshua Gallagher | 1:49.1 | 10 |
| 22.5L | $101.00 |
| 1/9 | 02/04/2026 | 5 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 2030m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:55.3 | 8 |
| 7.8L | $1.55 |
| 5/6 | 21/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Robert Morris | 0 |
| 8.9L | $0.00 | |
| 3/3 | 14/01/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Good | Robert Morris | 0 |
| 8.7L | $0.00 |

Driver: Seaton Grima
Stats
Comments
Improved last start with a then went on to fill a minor placing over 1609m at this track last start. Good enough to overcome the wide draw.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 08/05/2026 | 6 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Will Rixon | 1:52.8 | 1 |
| 1.2L | $3.00 |
| 9/10 | 02/05/2026 | 14 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Seaton Grima | 1:49.7 | 3 |
| 40.8L | $151.00 |
| 9/10 | 18/04/2026 | 7 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 2300m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:53.8 | 8 |
| 28.6L | $26.00 |
| 8/10 | 11/04/2026 | 15 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:49.1 | 5 |
| 18.1L | $81.00 |
| 3/10 | 27/03/2026 | 6 | No NR | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Robert Morris | 1:50.1 | 7 |
| 3.1L | $26.00 |
| 1/10 | 21/03/2026 | 21 | NR up to 105 | $20,400.00 | Menangle | 1609m | Fast | Seaton Grima | 1:52.0 | 10 |
| 0.2L | $9.50 |
| 1/6 | 16/02/2026 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Good | Seaton Grima | 0 |
| 15L | $0.00 | |
| 1/5 | 17/12/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Maitland | 1648m | Good | Bruce Andrews | 0 |
| 4L | $0.00 |

Driver: Jack Callaghan
Stats
Comments
Failed to impress last start; 7th (Fr7) over 1609m after showing early speed and racing wide at this track was 2nd-1.57 at the bell, beaten 8 m by Force Full (1:52.80) in No NR on May 8 at $14. Showed ability the outing before when he won by a head (Fr4) at this track (1:56.00) beating Ravishing Sloy in NR up to 90 on May 1 at $31 at the bell was 2nd-2.5. Can play a role with his A-game.
Last Starts 7 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Driver | Mile Rate | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 08/05/2026 | 7 | No NR | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:52.8 | 7 |
| 8.4L | $14.00 |
| 1/10 | 01/05/2026 | 8 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:56.0 | 4 |
| 0.2L | $31.00 |
| 5/10 | 23/04/2026 | 6 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Penrith | 1720m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:55.9 | 3 |
| 4.1L | $26.00 |
| 8/10 | 17/04/2026 | 7 | NR up to 80 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Tyler Miles | 1:53.9 | 7 |
| 10.7L | $41.00 |
| 2/9 | 10/04/2026 | 13 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Will Rixon | 1:52.9 | 2 |
| 2.3L | $5.50 |
| 2/10 | 28/03/2026 | 9 | NR up to 90 | $11,830.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Fast | Jack Callaghan | 1:52.7 | 1 |
| 3.2L | $21.00 |
| 2/4 | 15/10/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Mark Callaghan | 0 |
| 0.3L | $0.00 | |
| 2/6 | 14/05/2025 | - | Trial | $0.00 | Newcastle | 1609m | Good | Mark Callaghan | 0 |
| 2.7L | $0.00 |