Newcastle three-time premiership winner Andrew Gibbons is confident of a successful day on his home track on Saturday.
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Gibbons has four mounts for Kris Lees and one each for Joe Pride and Les Bridge. His first two, True Faith (race one) and unraced French Marine (two), are for Lees and are his best chances.
Three-year-old filly True Faith, part-owned by Lees' wife Kristy, will contest the opening event, a 1200-metre maiden handicap. She has raced three times for two placings and a close fourth. The filly hasn't raced since September but has trialled nicely recently.
French Marine runs in the 900m 3YO maiden handicap.
"The first two look to be my best, however, I expect all six of my mounts to run well," Gibbons said.
"True Faith always indicated she would be better with time. She was pretty good in all three starts last year and she is working well. French Marine is a speedster suited by the short course. He will be hard to beat.
"Contract Signed went good behind a very smart horse last start. The extra trip is ideal.
"I rode Sacramento Joe in his first Australian start at Newcastle on January 30 and it was a forgive run. He was working well before that run, but the tempo was slow and he had traffic issues. Expect a big improvement.
"Continuation will run his usual honest race and Lady Legend has a huge chance."
Paul Perry's promising stayer, Ficheur, steps up to 1870m for the first time when he contests the benchmark 64 handicap.
The three-year-old was a $101 chance when he won on debut on this track last winter. He was backed from long odds into $6 when he led all the way over 1500m at Newcastle on February 6. The son of Dundeel will again be ridden by top Hunter Valley apprentice Mikayla Weir.
Promising Godolphin three-year-old Vucetich returns to the track where he won impressively first-up when he runs in the 1500m benchmark 64 handicap. The gelding has a win and a second from three starts at Newcastle. He has drawn ideally and the in-form Christian Reith has the mount.
The final race of the day, the 1200m benchmark 68 handicap, is a cracker. Peter and Paul Snowden-trained filly Salateen was outstanding in winning first-up at Gosford on February 4.