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By John Schell

Selections based on a heavy track

5. The Way Ahead is having her first start and comes into this after showing good improvement to score a runaway trial win at Warwick Farm. She’s drawn well and is set to run well. 3. Oakfield Mars has had three trials leading into this debut performance and she’s been placed in each of them. She warrants respect from the good gate. 1. Beau Bandit is also having his first start and he’s been prepared with a recent trial which he won on the Beaumont track here. He has the advantage of barrier one with Louise Day taking the ride. 7. Castaway Coral has finished fourth in each of three runs since resuming and could get into the placings without surprising.

How to play it: The Way Ahead WIN.

5. Flame Of Hestia was down the track on debut on the Kensington track then returned from a break to score a dominant win as an odds-on favourite at Taree. She resumes again here after two trials and has the ability to go on with the job. 2. Majestuoso Phoenix won at Wyong on debut and wasn’t beaten far at Kembla Grange at his only other start. He’s had two trials to prepare for this. 3. Runranirun resumes here after two good trials and can run well here. 4. Capital Dancer resumed from a spell with a win at this track as favourite and could go on with the job.

How to play it: Flame Of Hestia

1. Hampden is an import that has had two Australian starts and finished a close second in the latest of them at Hawkesbury. He’s drawn the rails here and should take holding out. 5. El Paso was placed on the Kensington track when resuming from a spell and has shown the ability to be rated a leading contender. 7. Stormbringer has been placed in each of his three starts and can show up again. 9. Cheval Gris has been consistent of late and can run into the placings.

How to play it: Hampden WIN.

2. Fifth Force was placed at big odds at Randwick three starts ago and has since finished fifth at Warwick Farm and Wyong. He’s won two on the soft and is ready to hit winning form again. 5. Kenmare Bay has finished second in both runs since resuming and is a leading player again. 1. Prime Impact hasn’t done a lot in his latest two starts but is talented at best and is capable of turning things around. 12. Flying Step showed improvement when a last start close second behind subsequent Midway winner Inferencia at this track and she can be thereabouts again with a repeat of that.

How to play it: Fifth Force EACH WAY.

1. Khals has performed well enough in both of his starts to be rated a chance of breaking through here and he’s had a tick over trial leading into this. 5. Alabama Hussy wasn’t beaten far when a last start third at Kembla Grange and she can figure again here if she can run up to that. 3. Still Excited debuted with a fifth at Kembla Grange but can improve on that effort in this, while 2. Semibreve is on debut and has had a number of trials to prepare. She has place claims.

How to play it: Khals WIN.

4. Divine Bene was first-up from a spell on the Beaumont track when last produced and he did the job well when fighting on strongly to score a victory. He can race on the speed and has drawn ideally here to get the run of the race. Another victory is on the cards if he can maintain the first-up form. 1. Lutetia has a win and two placings from just the five starts and she has been working up to another win since resuming from a spell. 3. Channelling started favourite when winning at Kembla Grange last time out and looms as a contender again if she can run up to that. 2. Piperita won well as favourite at Wyong when resuming and can be a factor again based on that performance.

How to play it: Divine Bene WIN.

3. Alcabeel was a winner at this track last June when on debut and then in a couple of city grade races before being spelled after a sixth at Seymour. He had two trials before resuming with a close-up second at Hawkesbury behind Casanova, and he looks to have the ability to bounce back to winning form. 2. Bluepinot scored a strong maiden win at Doomben in December and was then spelled after a midfield down the track effort at Eagle Farm. He resumes here and looked good in a trial leading into it. He’s drawn the rails here and can make an impact. 10. Road To Paradise has only had the one start and was a winner on debut at this track. She is first-up here after a trial and is worth including among the main chances. 12. Incantation resumed from a spell with a dominant Goulburn victory and can show up again without surprising.

How to play it: Alcabeel WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (4) Divine Bene.
Race 7 (3) Alcabeel.

Best Value:
Race 4 (2) Fifth Force.

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