Described by Cavanough as a nutcase, Hardspot, a six-year-old mare in only her ninth start, will contest the opening event - a 900-metre handicap. She has won four times and in two victories at Tamworth this year, Hardspot went under one minute, 10 seconds for the 1200m trip.

In her only Newcastle start, in April, the mare blitzed a smart benchmark 70 field on a soft track. Hardspot has not raced since failing on a heavy track at Wagga in April. Scone-based Cavanough said her chances depended on which Hardspot decided to turn up.

"She is a nutcase and very highly strung, however, if Hardspot turns up in the right mood she will give them something to chase," Cavanough said.

"It is only 900 metres and she has had a couple of jumpouts. She is fit enough. I shouldn't have run Hardspot on that bog track at Wagga but the owners lived there so she went around.

"This mare is booked into the Vinery Stud stallion Headwater in the spring, so she is in the twilight of her racing career. She wears blinkers for the first time in a race but she has worked in them."

The three-time NSW Country premiership winner and former world sheep shearing champion offered little comment when asked his response to a recent plea for more shearers in the state.

"That was 20 years ago and shearing is just a memory," he said.

The Snowden training partnership has accepted with four runners in the 1200m maiden handicap.

Snitzel colt, Rule Of Law. has the best form of the quartet. He was beaten two lengths by the smart Yardstick in his only start on a heavy track at Canterbury on July 22.

The colt has drawn well and Newcastle premier jockey Andrew Gibbons has the mount. Gibbons rode the 2011 Grafton Ramornie Handicap winner Jerezana for Peter Snowden.

Newcastle's champion trainer Kris Lees has only two runners at Broadmeadow, Wild Fortune and Jaja Chaboogie, and they are in the same race - the 1300m fillies and mares benchmark 64 handicap.

Wild Fortune has drawn barrier four with Aaron Bullock aboard, while Jaja Chaboogie will be ridden by Gibbons from barrier nine.

Wild Fortune loves a wet track and. if the predicted rain arrives the mare's chance would be enhanced.

The four-year-old was doing her best work late when a close fourth at Gosford on July 25. The longer trip and the spacious track is ideal.

Jaja Chaboogie steps up in class after two easy country wins at Taree and Tamworth. She is a front runner and both wins have been on heavy tracks.

Newcastle Jockey Club has opened Saturday's meeting to essential participants only because of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region.

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