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By Jack Webster

Tips and race by race preview by Jack Webster for Saturday’s Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

3. Fioprospero put in a solid late effort last start here, with a late burst from the back of the field and hitting the line strong. He’s drawn an inside barrier, and the step up in distance seems ideal. He should be in the finish.

Dangers: 4. Koning has seen success here in the past over the same distance, but his form has since tapered off and he hasn’t secured a victory since. He put in a better effort last start at Kembla Grange and could show up today. 9. Waamil is coming off a strong win where he found the lead early from a wide gate and controlled the race. Similar tactics are likely to be applied here, with a forward position anticipated. He is third up and will be fitter for the one-week turnaround. 6. Laspirit Deeler is coming off a good win at Wyong over 1600m and will benefit greatly from the increase in distance this time. She is sure to be a threat.

How to play it: Fioprospero ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

1. Amicus Curiae has been consistent this campaign since resuming and did well to win here last start despite having a lot to do from a wide gate. The jump to 1600m shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge, and he will be a major player in this race.

Dangers: 3. Doraskaya was unlucky at Wyong last start, not finding the space he needed at a crucial stage in the race. He is fitter now and can improve here. 4. Shuri was close here as the runner-up over 1400m, with a strong late run from the rear. She has won here over 1500m on a good track, and with a 3.5kg drop in weight, she should go close here. 6. Star Legacy has been improving since resuming this campaign, with a win at Kembla last time out over 1600m. He is up in grade but should be in the mix.

How to play it: Amicus Curiae WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Capital Dancer is third up and has placed in both starts here since returning from her spell, over 900m on wet tracks. She has improved with each start, and with conditions, distance, and track in her favour, she appears to be the main threat in this race.

Dangers: 3. Stratified ran well last start at Kembla in a strong race, leading throughout but fading in the closing stages. She is third up here, and a drop in distance will work in her favour. A definite chance. 6. All Too Vegas has shown promise since her debut. Excuses can be made for her last start at Dubbo due to the rainy conditions. She’s drawn barrier one here, and with a drop in distance, she’s well worth considering. 9. Homecoming is a Godolphin filly who placed in her first three trials, with a win in her last trial at Warwick Farm. She’s drawn well here and is likely to be a key contender in this race. One to watch.

How to play it: Capital Dancer WIN ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

9. Too Darn Lovely is two for two when first up, with one of those wins being her debut over this distance. She trialled well at Scone over 1000m in preparation for this race, taking an extensive lead before fading late.

Dangers: 2. Florida Sky placed here last start over the same distance and is looking to return to her previous form prior to her spell. She led last start but faded towards the end. 5. Procrastinator has been unable to clinch a victory for a considerable period. She’s raced at this track and distance five times this campaign, just falling short last start despite having every chance. Her last two wins came here at this distance, so she has another chance today. 1. Classic Dreamer is first up after a lengthy spell, with it being close to a year since her last race start. Prior to her hiatus, she showed serious promise, including a win here over 900m on her debut. She’ll aim to return to her previous form here

How to play it: Too Darn Lovely WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

3. Ace’s In Bloom is resuming here and comes into this race boasting two commanding trial wins over 1000m. She’s drawn a good barrier this time, and with a 3kg claim for apprentice Braith Nock, she is ready to strike first up.

Dangers: 1. Captain Eagle is third up here after a disappointing run at Hawkesbury last time out, where he had every chance. He’s been beaten as the betting favourite in both of his starts but has another chance here. A wide barrier will prove a challenge. 6. Lady Ichikawa ran well last start when resuming at Hawkesbury, putting in a good effort from a wide position to place. She’s fitter second up here at her home track. The extra trip may be a plus and she could show up here. 8. Classic Poetry hasn’t done much wrong since resuming, finishing runner-up twice and fourth at Scone, where she did well consider the wide barrier draw. She made a strong effort last start on a heavy track to finish second and should be a key contender in this race.

How to play it: Ace’s In Bloom WIN ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Cosmic Lad saw some success with his initial form, including a win at Newcastle over 1500m where he was far too good, and a test in a Group 1 at Randwick. Expect him to give a good account of himself fresh.

Dangers: 3. Invincible Whip showed great potential in his initial campaign, including an easy win at Scone over 1400m on a soft track. He has been runner-up in his two trials in preparation and is looking to return to his previous form here. 4. My Mate Cobber has been running well since resuming. He was unlucky last start here but had a clear win on a soft track prior. Entering this race in good condition, he is poised to make a significant impression. 10. Pins And Needles has been runner-up in her last two starts over this distance at Mudgee and Wyong. She has a wide gate but will look to continue that form in this race and should go close.

How to play it: Cosmic Lad WIN ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds).

8. Trunk led and was worn down last start when he ran second up at Canterbury. He likes to look for the lead, and similar tactics will be applied here. He has been threatening to win and should be among the finishers today.

Dangers: 7. King Of Thunder has had two decent trials in preparation for his debut here, including a second-place finish in a trial at Randwick over 1040m. He showed promise with a late burst from the midfield and looks a strong contender on debut. 3. Magic Shadow was runner-up here when resuming over 1300m on a heavy track and put in a solid effort last start at Kensington, finishing third and fitter for the run. The wide barrier here will prove a challenge. 2. Eclipsion has had two solid trials since returning from his spell, finishing second at Rosehill over 1030m. He showed glimpses of success in his prior preparation and can only improve. Should go well here

How to play it: Trunk WIN ($2.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Naval Seal has struggled to make an impact in his last three preparations but has been runner-up twice when resuming in the past. His best work is done on tracks, and he has a chance to improve today if he can find her previous form.

Dangers: 3. Euromaster has performed well overall since his ordinary debut, running second in his four starts that followed and securing a well-deserved win at Wyong last start. In great form, he aims to go back-to-back here. 12. Fox Reign held his ground well when he won on debut at Scone with a strong on-speed performance on a Heavy 9 track. He’s stepping up to 1400m here and is drawn a wide barrier, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t be a player in this race. 6. Surprise Valley has seen little success since resuming this campaign but showed promise with a trial win at Randwick last time out over 1040m on a soft track. Adds interest to this run, and with a good barrier, could compete.

How to play it: Naval Seal WIN ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

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