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By Tony Megahey

Young Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer is striving to maintain his impressive strike rate against Group winning opposition at an in- depth Cessnock TAB meeting on Tuesday.

The ex-jockey rides his own track-work, is operating with a near 20 per-cent success rate the past two seasons, and has five contenders, including two last start winners.

However, Deamer is under no illusions as the prolific winning regional stables of Paul Perry and Kris Lees again have dominant numbers throughout the seven race programme, along with James Cummings and Allan Denham contenders.

Deamer was a regular rider for famed Jack Denham and son Allan for many years at Rosehill, and has made a successful transition to training.

“We’ve got some chances, nice progressive types and having a decent run, but it’s getting tougher to win up here, the fields are getting stronger, that’s for sure,” Deamer offered after dawn track work.

Deamer’s imposing ally in his main focus, race four, a Nicholas Scanlon sponsored BM 55, 1570m, is racing great Robert Thompson who rides consistent Lady Evelyn with 58kg. Chad Lever rides stable-mate No Effort Needed.

“Lady Evelyn will need some luck from the draw, but leave that to Robert,” Deamer said. “The two Scone placings are strong form, and she went close at Taree.

“No Effort Needed has won here and is fitter third up.”

In the opening event, a Cessnock League’s Club class three, Bonita made it three wins from seven starts with recent success at Taree.

“She’s a progressive filly, really nice win first up, and she’ll take plenty of improvement from it.”

In the second event, a Business Basics Maiden, Deamer’s unraced gelding Bon Amis will be ridden by Lever. “He won a recent trial, did everything right and will benefit, but early days, not sure as we don’t know the opposition.”

Deamer is buoyed by the prospects of last start winner Lady Montoya in a Hunter Jaguar-Land Rover BM 55 (2125m).

“She’s a big strong progressive filly, confident she’ll handle the step up to ‘2100’ as she finished off well in a 1600m maiden. “She’ll also be fitter third up, but the test is coming up from a maiden to the next level.”

View the fields, form and race replays for Cessnock's Tuesday meeting here.