Simon Thomas has two of the best on Newcastle's feature day.

We head to Newcastle on Saturday for a strong ten-race card with the Group 2 The Newcastle Herald Hunter (1300m) the headline act in what looks an intriguing contest.

Joe Pride will be hoping the Spring riches can continue with his eight-year-old marvel Coal Crusher, who comes up as our best bet.

Coal Crusher is chasing his second win in the Hunter, after winning the race in 2023 and finishing third last year. 

Pride trained three Group 1 winners over the carnival with Ceolwulf asserting his class when he secured the King Charles III (1600m) at Randwick and then backing up in the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday in testing conditions.

It was Pride's new addition from Godolphin - Attica - that put a spring in his step with a breathtaking win in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

The Warwick Farm trainer is also well represented in The Hunter with Estadio Mestalla and Accredited, who are not without each way claims.

Coal Crusher comes out of the right form races heading into this, after being run down late when sixth in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m), and his tough fourth from the outside gate in the Russell Balding last start.

Fourth-up tomorrow, Chad Schofield gets map favours from barrier four, where he can take control early and prove hard to run down.

Our next best comes up in the Lees Racing 'Legend' Mile (1600m), with the John Sargent-trained mare Meridiana.

The daughter of Preferment was unluckily beaten despite a late surge with the 59.5kg when second in the Four Pillars (1500m) at Randwick last start.

Tomorrow, we see Jason Collett take the reins and expect to see her settle a little closer in the run and prove hard to hold out in this easier contest.

SYDNEY SPECIALS

Race 8 No. 3 - COAL CRUSHER

Race 5 No. 4 - MERIDIANA