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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

4. Flying Argyle has finished second in four of seven starts and comes into this on the back of a last start fourth at this track. He’s knocking on the door for a win and warrants plenty of thought. 3. Denuto is a gelding on debut here for trainer Kris Lees and he has had two trials, running second in the latest of them at Wyong. A forward showing is on the cards here. 9. Rose Of Dubai has had three trials leading into this first start and she’s performed well in each of the barrier trials. She bears close watching. 10. Seastrand is a filly on debut and had had two recent trials in preparation. She is primed to run well.

How to play it: Flying Argyle WIN.

9. Thursain has only had the four starts and the daughter of Zousain has finished fourth in all four of them. She should appreciate the step up to the 1400m in this event and should be suited by the bigger track. 10. Tokyo Queen is a filly on debut, and she has had two trials leading into this. She hasn’t been beaten far in each of them and bears close watching on debut here. 5. Oh Deer has finished fourth in each of her two starts since resuming from a spell and she should run well again here if she can maintain that form. 6. Share The Joy has had 17 starts but has been placed in five of them, including the latest two. She can show up without surprising.

How to play it: Thursain EACH WAY.

7. Ollie’s Secret was a winner at Armidale four starts ago and then was placed at Tamworth before a fifth at this track. He was since back in winning form when doing the job well to score a last start Tamworth victory when racing on the speed and fighting on strongly. He only needs to have maintained that form to be hard to hold out again in this. 5. Divine Vicky has finished fourth in each of two runs back from a spell and wasn’t beaten far in the latest of them at Warwick Farm when beaten less than a length. She has the talent to be in the finish. 6. Medinah was close-up at Coonabarabran when finishing fourth before being spelled and resumes here after a recent trial. 9. Announcing was midfield in a handy Highway when last produced and is worth including among the main chances.

How to play it: Ollie’s Secret WIN.

1. Oakfield Prince is handy at best and ran well enough when a last start fourth at this track. He can be a major factor here with a repeat of that. 4. Don’tcha Think has a solid record and is rarely far from the action. He was a close-up fourth here last time out. 9. Mon Amore ran second when beating home Oakfield Prince here when they last clashed and warrants respect, while 5. Lease has been racing well and should taking plenty of running down.

How to play it: Oakfield Prince WIN.

1. City Gold Banner had looked good in trials before making his debut and hitting the line well to score a narrow but decisive victory at Warwick Farm. He since started favourite at Kembla Grange when safely held when finishing near last. That run can be forgiven and he gets a chance to bounce back to winning form here. 3. Zounaka was a winner at Kembla Grange three starts ago and has finished second in each of her latest two starts at this track since then. She only needs to overcome a wide alley to be hard to hold out. 4. My Phar Lady resumed from a spell and toughed it out well to score a win when resuming at this track and she can go on with the job. 5. Ivana did the job well to score a win at double figure odds at Wyong when last produced and another forward showing is on the cards.

How to play it: City Gold Banner WIN.

4. Rubi’s Serve has been racing well of late having scored a victory at this track at the end of November before following a second here with another win on the Beaumont track. She was midfield here before a last start third at this track and gets her chance to break through again in this from the good gate. 1. Touch Of Navy had solid form before failing in the Dubbo Cup at the end of September. He had two trials before resuming with a fourth at Muswellbrook as favourite and should have derived benefit from that hitout. 5. Uncle Harry hasn’t been too far away in his most recent runs and shouldn’t be underestimated. 6. Twin Turbo is resuming from a spell and could sprint well.

How to play it: Rubi’s Serve WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (7) Ollie’s Secret.
Race 5 (1) Gold City Banner.

Best Value:
Race 2 (9) Thursain.

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