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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

1. City Gold Ready is a former Kiwi that has had one start since joining the new stable. He debuted in this region with a close-up fifth at this track. He is better for that run and looks suited by the step up in distance.

Dangers: 6. Lady Gold has been racing well with a couple of placings at her latest two starts, including a half length second at Wyong last time out. She should give plenty of cheek here. 11. Blazing Sword has finished second in each of his latest two starts at Goulburn and Hawkesbury. He shows plenty of ability and is worth including among the main chances. 9. Irish Anthem has six placings to his names from 14 starts. He was placed at Hawkesbury at his latest start and can figure in the placings again.

How to play it: City Gold Ready WIN.

2. Outishka is a short course specialist that won with ease at Moree last time out. She did the job well to score at this track three starts ago as well. She has a consistent record and looks hard to hold out.

Dangers: 4. Kiribati won a couple on end after resuming at Hawkesbury and Kembla Grange but has been down the track in a couple runs since then. If he can bounce back to his best in this then he can be hard to hold out again. 6. Smart And Dapper was a Rosehill winner in January and then won at this track before being spelled. He’s a recent trial winner that should figure prominently. 5. Bourbon Flyer hit the line well to score at good odds at this track when last produced and is worth thought.

How to play it: Outishka WIN.

1. Extreme Diva was placed in the Sweet Embrace Stakes as a two-year-old she comes into this on the back of a resuming last of seven in the San Domenico. This is much easier.

Dangers: 3. Golden Smile is an import on debut for a new stable here after two trials. She warrants thought. 4. Peschiera has been placed in both runs back from a spell and looks placed well against these. 5. Alice Mae has been placed in each of two runs back from a spell and only needs to run up to those efforts in order to be a chance again here.

How to play it: Extreme Diva WIN.

13. Hammett debuted at Kembla Grange with a sixth against handy company and can show up here with the benefit of improvement.

Dangers: 12. Counterpart resumes from a spell and has solid form against good opposition. 8. Dollars ran well at Kembla Grange on debut and is not out of this if he can run up to that effort, which was in the same event Hammett contested. 1. Top Secret is a four-year-old on debut and has looked good in his trials. He bears close watching.

How to play it: Hammett EACH WAY.

1. Roots is a classy mare from the Chris Waller stable and is resuming from a spell here. She hasn’t raced since finishing a credible seventh in the Tatt’s Tiara behind Bella Nipotina at Eagle Farm. She’s had a trial leading into this return and has a good first-up record.

Dangers: 5. Terra Mater has an outstanding record with seven wins and as many placings fron just 16 starts. She hit the line well to win the Mona Lisa at Wyong when last produced and is drawn to get a good run. 7. Ausbred Flirt is also resuming here and finished sixth in the Tatt’s Tiara at her latest start. She’s had two trials in preparation for this and bears close watching. 9. Hellavadancer won well at Rosehill two starts ago, then didn’t have much go her way in the Mona Lisa last time out.

How to play it: Roots WIN.

1. Luncies doesn’t win out of turn these days but he has had two starts back from a spell and is ready to peak in this. He ran well enough in the Rowley Mile when resuming, then battled to the line well for a second in the Wyong Cup behind Lion’s Roar. He’s drawn the rails in this and gets his chance to break through again.

Dangers: 9. Etna Ross is also coming into this on the back of a last start effort in the Wyong Cup in which he finished fifth. He scored a dominant win at Rosehill before that and is a leading contender here if he can run up to that. 3. Redstone Well ran well at Randwick when placed at his third run back from a spell, then dominated from the front to score a runaway win at that track at his latest start. 4. Touristic has been racing well with three straight second placings following a Mornington victory. He should give plenty of cheek again here.

How to play it: Luncies EACH WAY.

1. Here To Shock is a classy type that won the BRC Sprint during the Brisbane winter carnival then failed to fire in the Stradbroke Handicap before being spelled. He returned after a let-up and hit the line well after being well backed to finish second to Another Wil. He has the form to his name to give this a big shake.

Dangers: 11. Chorlton Lane ran home well when a last start third in the Goulburn Cup and he looks set to be at his peak for this. 12. Matcha Latte is resuming from a lengthy spell but had solid form as a three-year-old in good company. He’s had two trials, easily winning the latest of them, leading into this, and the stable is in form. 3. Berkshire Shadow was midfield in the Scone Cup when not beaten far at the end of his last campaign. He resumed with a midfield effort again at Rosehill behind Ceolwulf and is set to improve with that run under his belt.

How to play it: Here To Shock WIN.

4. Cormac T is an import that debuted in Australia with a solid fifth at Rosehill when performing well. He since won two on end in good style at Hawkesbury and Kembla Grange and was then spelled. He resumes here and has had two trials. The 1500m first-up looks ideal.

Dangers: 10. Irish Kisses has been racing well with a third at Wyong two starts ago being followed by a close-up fourth on the Kensington track after leading. She’s drawn the rails here and should get the run of the race 6. Moonlight Grace is handy at best and has been placed in each of her latest two starts. 12. Whatadilemma resumed from a spell with a close second at Kembla Grange and looms as a chance again here.

How to play it: Cormac T WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (1) Roots.
Race 7 (1) Here To Shock.

Best Value:
Race 6 (1) Luncies.

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