Elder was second, just half a metre away, with Bright Energy in the group 1 Breeders Challenge for four-year-olds geldings and entires when they last combined in June.

Owned by Elder's uncle, Michael Elder, Bright Energy returns in race three with the Miracle Mile as a potential target this preparation for trainer Craig Cross.

"If I said I wasn't excited, I'd be lying," Brad said. "I don't want to win by a few metres, I want to win by 50."

Elder is three wins away from 300 in his career and he hopes to hit the milestone before heading to New Zealand on Sunday for a week-long trip as the 2018 HRNSW junior driver encouragement award recipient.

He also has last-start winner Coringa Delight in race one and Rich Virgin in four.

"She got the cash last week, it's a tough draw, but there's a few horses there that should go forward, which suits us," he said of Coringa Delight.

"We can take a sit and she gets home good every week. Rich Virgin is down in grade there, so he should go close."

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the clock when track record-holder Balraj returns to Newcastle.

The Anthony Simiana-trained son of Art Major is unbeaten in five Australian starts and is back racing after a three-month break.

Last season, the Kiwi import went 1:52:7 then a track record 1:50.9 at Newcastle, winning by 25.7m and 55.9m, before setting a three-year-old Australasian record time of 1:49:1 at Menangle.

He won again at Menangle before a spell and resumes in race five at Newcastle.

There will be plenty of interest in the Chariots of Fire hopeful's first-up performance, especially given times have been slower at Newcastle since the track was resurfaced last month with blue metal crusher dust, which replaced the traditional, lighter-coloured rhyolite dust.