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By Neil Evans

Track improving to Soft 5 and rail out 5m so likely on or near the pace before slowly levelling out

We start with a testing sprint for the girls that mighty turn out to be a handy form race. Taree 4YO 6. Gypsy Queen is ready to win again from the good draw. Flew home from the back two runs back in this grade before closing off strongly again in a Class 1 at home finishing in front of highly-rated Animate who then bolted in at Scone last Tuesday.

Dangers: Local 3YO 3. Meyer from the Kris Lees stable resumes off some nice work at the trials. Beaten narrowly on debut in a similar race last winter, and form rider takes 1.5kg off. Big watch on 3YO debutant 7. Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt x Drinks All Round by O'Reilly) from the Waterhouse-Bott yard who has been at the trials for a long haul, the latest working home nicely at Randwick. Wellington 5YO 1. Divine Jewel resumes off a six month break without a public trial, and she is weighted close to her best, but her only career win so far did come first-up. If she can slot in for early cover will again be working home into the finish. Wyong 7YO 2. Di's Diamond has closed off okay in two runs back from a spell, and is another who likes to drift back and charge late.

How to play it: Gypsy Queen to win and trifecta 3,6,7/3,6,7/1,2,3,6,7. Odds and Evens (First 2): Split

Potentially strong maiden, with plenty of chances. Promising 4YO local mare 3. Dreaming Of Gold resumes off a nice trial when asked to find the line by an emerging trainer who has made several gear changes. Flashed home to be beaten narrowly both runs in first prep, and is headed for bigger prizes than this.

Dangers: Debutant 3YO Kembla gelding 4. Armani Blaze (Nicconi x Fashion Week by Dehere) looks ready to go off two forward trials. Improving Wyong filly 8. Minifinn comes into contention after rocketing home at Muswellbrook to beat all but the winner at only her second start. Watch the betting big time on 3YO Hawkesbury filly 5. Icebath who resumes off two trials, and raced in Group company as a 2YO last autumn. Hit the line hard behind a good horse in a one-off run at Wyong last July before spelling. Hard to beat if she's forward enough. Include Newcastle filly and first starter 10. Whatsin (Epaulette x Sempervirent by Canny Lad) who has trialled well and was due to debut at Friday's washed out Taree meeting.

How to play it: Dreaming Of Gold each way and first four 3,4,5/3,4,5,8/3,4,5,8,10/3,4,5,8,10. Odds and Evens: Split

Big fan of resuming 4YO Wyong gelding and Northern Hemisphere-bred 1. Succendam who has looked good in two trials, the latest cruising home & holding at bay two highly-rated staying types including Japanese-bred Hallelujah Boy who was only beaten by a head first-up at Warwick Farm last Wednesday. Charged home to win at second start over the mile last winter. Has to cart 61.5kg, but drawn to get a nice position.

Dangers: Newcastle filly 6. Hibern hit a career peak at her seventh start motoring home to win her maiden beating talented Toguchi at Taree, and while this is tougher and she'll be forced to go back from a wide draw, carries the same weight. Improving 3YO Warwick Farm gelding 4. Redjina landed her maiden resuming in the heavy at Nowra before missing by a whisker at Bathurst. Capable type, but taking on some much better ones here; while 4YO Newcastle mare 9. Armina hasn't been far away in her last couple at Class 2 level.

How to play it: Succendam to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Succendam wins a trial at Newcastle on January 29

Back to the maidens at set weights, and barring bad luck, can't see anything stopping well regarded 3YO Newcastle gelding 6. Pride Of Adelaide at second start with the blinkers going on. Can atone for being rolled as a heavily backed hot favourite at Pt Macquarie after a very impressive trial.

Dangers: Hawkesbury 3YO gelding 4. Liam's The Boss resumes off a quiet trial, but hit the line well on debut in Canberra last spring, and draws to get plenty of cover. Improving 3YO Rosehill gelding 3. Gogh Fox only just missed at his second start at Bathurst, and if he gets even luck from the wide gate, will be working home; while keep 3YO Randwick filly 10. Shining Eagle safe after a solid first-up run at Kembla when backed in from an each-way price.

How to play it: Pride Of Adelaide to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Wyong 4YO gelding 12. Sebonna has plenty of ability, and returns for a second prep. Was close-up on debut at Scone last August, and in the second of two trials was right on the heels of stablemate Succendam, Attention Run and Hallelujah Boy.

Dangers: Warwick Farm 4YO 1. Go Fish Go steps up from a narrow Class 1 win at Kembla fourth-up, but not overly well in at the weights either, and will have to find another length; while keep a market watch on resuming local 5YO mare and former Victorian 6. Tigeen who has her first run for the Kris Lees stable off two trials.

How to play it: Sebonna to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Moderate race. Wyong 8YO gelding 3. Oakfield Jet has his first run for the Damien Lane stable at Wyong off a freshen-up. Shown steady improvement in three runs this prep, and despite rising in weight, gets his chance from the inside draw.

Dangers: Newcastle 4YO gelding 1. Apollo Prince resumes off a long spell and two fair trials, but won easily on debut last autumn as a hot favourite. Rival local 3YO 2. Reveal The Magic has been placed in all three runs back in this class, and should again push forward and sit around the lead; while 3YO Kembla filly 7. Freaky Freckles is best of the rest from a nice draw.

How to play it: Oakfield Jet to win. Odds and Evens: Odds

The boys bring us home over the same distance, and there are plenty of hopes headed by progressive 3YO local colt 9. Spiritual Power who can go back-to-back third-up after sweeping home to beat a good maiden field at Muswellbrook. Drawn to get a lovely run just off the speed and pounce early in the straight.

Dangers: Home track 5YO gelding and perennial placegetter 6. Titus is closing in on a long-awaited third career win after finishing close up in his last couple at Pt Macquarie and Taree this grade, and the form around is solid. Warwick Farm 4YO gelding 4. Entitlement looks well placed in this company. Up in weight, but drops in grade, and beat a nice horse at Mudgee three runs back. Wyong 4YO gelding 7. Heredero closed okay at Taree off a break and in his first run for new stable, and is well up to winning this if he can overcome the widest gate; while another 5YO, Kembla-based 8. Michael Oscar is also knocking on the door after three improving runs this prep.

How to play it: Spiritual Power to win. Odds and Evens: Split

Spiritual Power wins at Muswellbrook on February 3

All the fields, form and replays for Monday's Newcastle meeting