With the intangible 'what's on next' rule of wagering fixed in many punters' psyche, those with patience are in the minority and that virtue may well be rewarded at the Newcastle Paceway today.
The Clayton Harmey-prepared Blue Blazer has been in terrific form in recent weeks and can add to his seven career wins in the day's closer (Race 8 at 4.39pm).
The son of Auckland Reactor, after being restrained at the start gate nine at Newcastle on August 3, worked hard from the bell to race outside leader Liukin with 500 metres to run.
The seven year-old moved to a narrow advantage before turning for home and came away shortly after. He was untroubled to score by 2.6 metres from Mista Taptoe Lombo which edged Liukin from the quinella position in the final strides.
Blake Hughes takes the reins from Chris Geary and his claim keeps Blue Blazer back in grade but will get a fast-run event and, given a comfortable park off the speed, will be particularly hard to beat.
Newcastle Quaddie comment - by Paul Micallef
Race 5
CASUAL RIVER (Robin Hosking Snr): Beat moderate lot here 2030m May 25 then stood down after tiring badly at Maitland Jun 3. Hard to fancy.
SHEZABONNYGEM (Stacie Elliott): Hasn't won a race in 36 starts this season with only 5 placings. Better effort when placed here on Sat but find this harder.
CANT EXPLAIN IT (Glenn Bull): Unplaced 6 times in better company since successive wins here in good style. Tough with early speed and back in right grade. Ready to improve.
LOANSHARK (Roy Roots Jnr): Well beaten past 2 starts behind Regal Rock since behind leader 1/2 neck 2nd Mickee Cullen at Tamworth Jul 25. May place.
AMIGHTYFINEHORSE (Roy Roots Jnr): Should be ready to strike after 3 encouraging runs from wide draws since a spell. Settles closer and right in this.
MYLIGHTINGFELLA (Laura Spencer): Led 1:55 mile win here 4 runs back Jul 6. Has had mixed form since but finds suitable race here and should give plenty of cheek.
WHOSAGINGER (Cameron Davies): Led and won Maitland before restrained 4 pegs 14m 8th Mondooley Heaven (1:56) here Aug 3. Needs luck.
PAY ON THE PACER (Michael Osborn): Has had 80 starts here for 1 win. Maitland winner 3 starts back and looks to be facing a hard assignment here.
GLENN FORD (Mark Callaghan): Placed 4 times in between wins here. Tough odds-on win from wide alley here Aug 10 over 2030m. Talented 4yo which will be hard to beat.
Race 6
PRIVATE SECTOR (Roy Roots Jnr): Worked to the lead for 1:59.9 mile win here beating Golovkin Aug 10. Has the draw to give a similar showing.
LEMBONGAN LYF (Brendon Flaherty): Has 1 win from 70 starts and not won a race here after 29. Placed 3 from 4 here before tired badly after hard run here Aug 10. May place.
ADVANCED WARFARE (Darren Reay): Has early speed. Well beaten in both runs here since resuming from 4 month break. Needs to improve and likes it shorter.
THE ROYAL ROAN (Neville Greenwood): Behind leader for surprise win here 2030m Jul 29 at 5th start then outside leader 4m 4th Victory Valley Aug 10. This may test.
GOLOVKIN (Peter Hedges): Not won a race in 30 starts this season but is getting close. Had good trail from back row 2m 2nd Private Sector here Aug 10. This is best draw for a while.
AT EM ASHLEY (Paul Bourke): Not beaten too far in 3 runs for new stable, latest 7m 6th Victory Valley here Aug 10. Needs luck.
AZUR EXPRESS (Clayton Harmey): Has been a beaten odds-on favourite in all 4 starts. Led when 1m 2nd Promise To Rock (2:03.6) at Tamworth 1609m Aug 8. Give one more chance here.
ELITE BOBBY (Peter Neilson): Well beaten here both starts from back in the field since resuming. 7yo with only 5 runs and won Maitland at 2nd start. Improvement would not surprise.
WALLAROY BOY (Robin Hosking Snr): Has been down the course in past 10 starts since surprise win here Apr 16 from 3 pegs. Prefer others.
JODIE PODIE (Geoff Dorn): 3yo filly led/won Maitland Jun 17 on debut before outclassed 25m 8th Sheeza Malteeza (1:56.6) Jul 27. Look for a better showing here.
MAHALA PRINCE (Katie McGill): Big win Penrith 1:58.7 2125m Aug 8 before 5m 3rd Tretyakov 2030m here Aug 12. Ran home strongly both times and hard to beat.
HIGH STAKES (Roy Roots Jnr): 3yo filly who started $1.28 fav on debut but ruined chances by breaking and retired Tamworth Dec 18. Recent trial winner and keep safe.
Liukin QUE SERA (Chris Bourke): Drew wide and came from last with big inside run for 8m 5th Tinted Lass here on Sat. This suits and will take a power of beating.
HELIX (Glen Powell): Showed early speed to settle in good trail but found winner too good 8m 2nd Johnny White 2030m here on Sat. Ready to win and go well again.
JUSTAJOLT (Darren Elder): Placed only once in past 14 starts. Same most of way 9m 7th Tinted Lass here on Sat. Won't be too far away at the finish.
MACHSASWINGER (Peter Neilson): Unplaced 14 times then first placing this season when 14m 3rd Regal Rock 2030m here Aug 10. Place best.
ALWAYS AMY (Chris Bourke): Circled field early to be 'parked' before tiring 44m last Johnny White here on Sat. Go better driven with patience.
SCOTLYNN JIGGS (Stacie Elliott): Produced quick late finish to beat easier company in 1:56.8 then held up 3 pegs last Styx Vixen here Sat. Needs luck.
REGAL ROCK (Glenn Bull): Scratched.
IM MAJOR HARRY (Peter Hedges): Never clear from behind leader 12m 8th Styx Vixen here Sat. Narrowly beaten previous 2 runs here. Strong claims.
MOONLIGHT CRUISER (Neville Greenwood): Led 1:57.5 win 2030m beating Glen Ford then retired with gear malfunction Liukin here Aug 10. Best in front.
Race 8
LACEYS LAD (Mark Callaghan): Fast beginner. Always handy when 3m 2nd Island Banner (1:55.1) here Aug 12. Drawn to figure in the top 3 finish again.
MISTA TAPTOE LOMBO (Geoff Dorn): Was 3m 2nd Blue Blazer (1:55.8) before 15m 9th Liukin 2030m Aug 10. Back to some form and will be running on.
DERRINGER (Mitch Chapple): Broke a long run of outs beating Right On With It Tamworth 1980m Aug 8. Will find this much harder.
RETURN ACE (Clayton Harmey): Led/won 1:58.5 mile here Jul 13 and not disgraced in 3 starts since. Behind leader 5m 6th Blue Blazer Aug 3 last time. Each-way.
LIUKIN (Melanie Elder): Left alone in front over 2030m and just lasted to beat Im Major Harry 2030m Aug 10. Prefer over mile but worth thought again.
JUSTARUMOUR (Darren Elder): Scratched.
DAWN MAGIC (Darren Elder): Form poor before photo 3rd Liukin 2030m here Aug 10 and never likely twice since. Hard to fancy.
BLUE BLAZER (Clayton Harmey): Did plenty of work for 3m win Mista Taptoe Lombo (1:55.8) mile here Aug 3. Flying and has the speed to give this a massive shake. Take beating.
CAMROLLER (Cameron Davies): Better than form suggests. Out of luck twice since 3 pegs 8m 3rd Blue Blazer (1:58.6) here 2030m Jul 6. Knockout chance.