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By Gary Harley

Copacabana ($2.15 favourite on TAB), placed in a strong field on this track on August 8, is well placed in the 1400m Team Thoroughbred NSW Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Thursday.

The four-year-old was placed at Warwick Farm, Bendigo and Sandown in his first three starts before a failure in the Caulfield Guineas in October.

After two trials in July the gelding caught the eye when coming from last after a slow start to finish third behind two promising gallopers Bauhinia and Māori Chief in a 1250m Maiden on this track on August 8.

Snow in May (green colours; no.2) finishes third to Bauhinia at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

He will be fitter second-up and will appreciate the longer trip.

Reece Jones retains the mount after being in the saddle first-up for the Hawkes family.

Wyong-trained Fioprospero ($4.60) will appreciate a return to his favourite track when he steps out in the 1200m Sharp Office Benchmark 64 Handicap.

In-form Newcastle apprentice Ben Osmond will claim 3kg at his first ride on the son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.

During his 12-start career Fioprospero has had two wins and four placings, all at Newcastle.

He has no speed but is a strong stayer and he will relish the tough 2200m.

Last start at Hawkesbury he found the 1800m too short when coming from second last to finish fourth.

The Kim Waugh-trained Northern Eyes ($4.20) is chasing a hat-trick of wins when he contests the 1500m NJC Supports Equimillion 2024 Benchmark 68 Handicap.

The 4yo's two recent victories have been at Hawkesbury over 1300m on soft tracks. Jay Ford continues his successful association with Northen Eyes which had been runner-up in his only two 1500m events.

Capitalist filly Spirit Of Wealth ($3.30 fav) makes her debut in the 1200m Allied The Careful Movers Super Maiden Handicap after two impressive Randwick trial wins during August.

The 3yo has been ridden in both trials by race jockey Tommy Berry and is very quick.

She led all the way, hard held on a heavy track in the most recent trial on August 19. The winning margin was 3.19 lengths. and Spirit Of Wealth was never off the bit two trials back on August 5.

Ti Amo Tanto ($3.50) is an interesting runner in this race as the Fastnet Rock filly is on debut from the Waller stable and James McDonald has been listed as the rider.

Kerrin McEvoy will make the trip to Newcastle where one of his better mounts is the O’Shea-Charlton trained Snow In May ($3.40 fav).

The 3yo filly, a daughter of The Autum Sun, will run in the 1200m Davali Thoroughbreds Class 1 Handicap.

Snow In May's only start was in a 2yo race at the Wagga Cup Carnival on May 2 when she won easily and she will be hard to beat.

Unwritten ($5.50), runner-up in his past two starts, is nicely weighted in the 1250m The Prince Of Merewether Benchmark 64 Handicap.

Allocated 60.5kg trainer Greg Hickman has booked apprentice Braith Nock who claims 3kg.

The 6yo has produced eye-catching performances at Newcastle and Hawkesbury recently when powering home from way back. Nock rode two winners at Newcastle last Saturday.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here