Irish import Alakahan will be a short-priced favourite in the 2325-metre class 1 and maiden plate. He made his Australian debut at Kembla Grange on April 28 and was in need of the run, grinding away into fourth over 1600m. The four-year-old stepped up to 1850m at Newcastle and ran on stoutly for second. Last start on April 18, he got too far back in a Wyong class 1 over 2100m, making up 10 lengths to fall short by one.

Kaufusi, having his third start in the 900m 2YO maiden plate, displayed brilliant speed when run down late in a 1000m maiden on June 13.

Ulysses has won two from three at Newcastle and contests the 1600m benchmark 70 handicap. The three-year-old was ridden up close when he tired over 1800m at Randwick last start. This is a more suitable trip and two starts back he was beaten a head on the Kensington track.

"Alakahan wasn't suited by the tighter track at Wyong and his run was outstanding," Michael Freedman said.

"He wants a big circuit like Newcastle. He is a promising stayer and ticks all the boxes.

"Kaufusi is still learning his trade, as evident when he over did it up front at Kembla Grange. He led and was only beaten half a length. We are trying a Norton bit.

"Ulysses was too close to the lead under his big weight last start. The track will be much drier and all his good form is on Good 4 tracks."

"He loves the Newcastle track and has a nice claim. We were hoping to draw barriers one to four but we are out in 11. However, Ulysses will be going forward and hopefully gets a nice spot. We expect all three to run well."

The Freedman brothers, with 55 horses in work, have trained 59.5 winners this season.

Legendary Randwick trainer Les Bridge will send classy filly Madam Legend to Newcastle to run in the 1400m class 2 handicap.

The three-year-old is unbeaten in two Newcastle starts and is in good form. Madam Legend was a close second on the Kensington track last start and relegated subsequent city winner Agassi into third. She has a soft draw and a two-kilogram claim.

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle is hoping Luga Lad can maintain his unbeaten record this prep when he steps out in the 1200m benchmark 64 handicap. Luga Lad produced a barnstorming finish to win at Taree on June 5.