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By Neil Evans

Newcastle's Beaumont Track is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 2m the entire circumference. Thursday's forecast is for the slight chance of rain with a top of 24 degrees.

2. Monte Braveheart ($7 on TAB) is a tough and still improving four-year-old suited coming back in distance 12 days between runs, with blinkers replacing winkers. Hit the line first-up at Kembla before being shuffled back and not getting much room on the course proper here in Saturday company when should have finished closer. More experienced rider goes on too. 6. Tasoraay ($1.50 favourite) is likely to jump an odds-on favoruite and naturally is the clear threat having been close-up in tougher metro fields, but still looms under the odds. 5. Rockbarton Flash ($4.60) is down in weight from a softer draw. Gap to the rest headed by 3. The Bentley ($11) resuming off an eight-week break.

How to play it: Monte Braveheart to win

4. Kotaishi ($2.70 equal fav) hasn't been far away in his last few and is well placed here from this low draw, coming back 150m in trip. Led for a long way against tougher metro opposition two starts back, then ran home fairly as a well backed favourite on the course proper here when not in the best part of the track. 5. Rickythesteamboat ($4.20) is second-up in a weaker race off a fast-finishing effort at Warwick Farm. 10. Reasonable ($2.70 eq fav) is a well drawn stablemate of the top selection and was close-up in similar company at Hawkesbury. 2. Indiamo ($8) held his ground at Hawkesbury when well tried in the market and was scratched from an easier race at Orange on Monday to be saved for this. 9. Network Error ($19) is over the odds third-up.

How to play it: Kotaishi to win

2. Prosperous Dragon ($4.80) is a provincial-based four-year-old by Russian Revolution primed to make a statement on debut. Taken along slowly at the trials, he won the second of the two most recent in smart fashion over 1000m on the course proper here. 3. Cold Brew ($3.10), by Pierro, debuts after being strong through the line winning the second of two trials. 1. Monty The Missile ($2.60 fav) was an easing favourite when fading late first-up at Warwick Farm. Fitter now, but may still need one run under this weight from a wide draw. Another first starter 4. Graysville ($9) by Alabama Express, is the best of the rest.

How to play it: Prosperous Dragon to win

4. Hunter Bred ($3.50 fav) can snap a long wait for a fifth career win at his 33rd start in an open distance battle for older gallopers. Has been up for a long time but finished under two lengths from the winner in his last three, including deeper metro BM 64s and at Wyong eight days ago when he attacked the line late. Drawn to get nice cover just off the speed. 2. Jack Duggan ($4) is honest, rising in weight but back significantly in class from a metro BM 78 where he was beaten under three lengths. 3. Gulf Of Tomini ($6) is well in at the weights with a 3kg claim after running home in the Golden Mile at Tuncurry. 5. Just Boogie ($8.50) off a last-start win and 6. Overice ($7) down in grade, can both add value to trifecta and first four plays.

How to play it: Hunter Bred to win

4. Manuscript ($2.90 fav) is lightly raced and hard to stop from the inside draw, dropping down from a much smarter metro race won by an emerging sprint star. Has tactical speed and hits peak fitness. 6. Bartolf ($5) is suited up a shade in distance off a seven-week break and an easy trial. 8. Shelstein ($6.50) finds a thinner race fourth-up with a gear change. 1. Cape Byron ($5) resumes for a leading stable behind two progressive trials.

How to play it: Manuscript to win

7. Mr Rock It ($4) is a consistent five-year-old ideally placed to snap a run of four straight placings this prep. Found the line well in consecutive Hawkesbury efforts up to this level before beating all bar the winner in a BM 64 on the course proper here. Best weighted runner after a 3kg allowance and handles all going. 10. Proud Image ($3.20 fav) reloads off a dominant fourth-up win in a feature Mudgee Sprint and preferred here to Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting. 5. French Marine ($9) draws inside returning off an 11-week break and two quiet trials. Victorian-based 1. Keitel ($5.50) can improve sharply back in grade second-up. 8. Zoe Shark ($8.50) won on the main track here two starts back and a more experienced jockey goes on.

How to play it: Mr Rock It to win

4. Aweigh ($4.80), a filly by Merchant Navy, is on debut for a strong Rosehill yard behind an eye-catching trial where she covered ground but still found the line nicely. Has more than enough ability to overcome the wide barrier. 8. Moonlight Dream ($7) improves sharply second-up. 3. Alliteration ($5.50) draws off the track for her first start, but wears blinkers and was strong through the line in the second two trials. 1. Otono ($8.50) heads the rest, resuming off two quiet trials.

How to play it: Aweigh to win

BEST BETS
R2 – 4. KOTAISHI  ($2.70 eq fav), R7 – 4. AWEIGH ($4.80)

BEST VALUE
R6 – 7. MR ROCK IT ($4)

View final fields with full form & race replays for Beaumont Track here