Newcastle Jockey Club's first day of their Spring Racing Carnival on Friday features a cracking eight-race program with three Group 3 events and more than $1 million in prizemoney.

Kris Lees has called on track specialist Josh Parr in an attempt to successfully rekindle an earlier association with Luncies ($16 on TAB) in Thursday’s $200,000 Pioneer Services Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.

Toowoomba gelding Red Wave has bounced back to his best to capture the Ipswich Cup.

On-pace stayer Zoumon is expected to improve significantly in the Ipswich Cup.

The Ipswich Cup has a reputation of producing winners with light weights but trainer Kris Lees is hoping to buck the trend this year with imported stayer, Luncies.