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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Wednesday’s Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a good to soft track.

7. Turgenev has so far trialled a lot better than he has performed on race day but expecting a big turnaround on his heavy track failure first-up. Firmer track, blinkers on and a nice trial win in the shades since that last run says he has every chance to fire.

Dangers: 2. Publicist had the run of the race on debut at Kensington three weeks ago and made a strong bid finishing less than half a length behind Brigantine. Can only be better for it and with even luck in running is a big threat. 3. Taborca wasn’t disgraced in a couple of fairly solid 2yo races in Melbourne earlier this year and is an interesting runner. No knock on his trials and drawn one so keep safe. 12. Mikasa improved nicely second-up to run into second behind Starman at Kensington two weeks ago. Each-way.

How to play it: Turgenev E/W ($7.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Turgenev wins a trial at Rosehill on July 30

9. Too Much Class looked close to a win with a narrow defeat here second-up then clearly not suited on a heavy 10 at Goulburn and just battled. Drawn well and if she runs up to his previous effort she should go close.

Dangers: 1. Mother’s Mercy is in blinkers first time and rises 4.5kg on her fair effort in a stronger BM78 at Randwick third-up. Doesn’t run bad races and gets her chance to enhance a solid winning record if she hasn’t reached her limit. 4. Zudin has only won the one race but all three runs back have had merit, the latest a close third at Kembla at 1500m. Each-way claims. 8. Chateaux Park gets back and runs on and had good support when finishing into third at Gosford over a mile last time. Another with only one win but is usually around the mark.

How to play it: Too Much Class E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Too Much Class runs second at Newcastle on June 26

8. Majella looks to have come back in good order based on her closing fifth when resuming at Kensington. Settled last in a strung out field and wound up nicely. Fitter, drawn to be a lot closer and best form is around this trip. Go well.

Dangers: 7. Dinado is another that caught the eye first-up with a strong finish from the back at Kensington, hers a week later. Has won second-up and also drawn a lot more favourably so expecting her to be competitive. 1. Royal Banquet has been freshened up since struggling in the heavy ground in a Midway at Randwick a month ago. He’s very much good enough to win this race and must be respected. 10. Big Surprise is a noted on pacer who gave a good sight when runner-up at Wyong last time. Chased home Yiyi here before that and could measure up with the right run.

How to play it: Majella WIN ($3.70 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Majella’s first-up run at Kensington on July 21

2. Toomuchtobear has his first run from the Chris Waller Sydney base and brings compelling form through his maiden win with him. Fought off a two-time subsequent winner after working early. Based on that he should race forward and has found a winnable race.

Dangers: 8. Cat D’Oro is regularly well in the market but is still a maiden after seven starts. He was unlucky at Wyong last time when badly held up though. Up in distance, drawn well and wouldn’t be overlooking him. 3. Deel With Me is lightly raced and his last start third at Wyong suggests he should be able to be competitive at this level with the 3kg claim. 5. Linguee won here first-up and was back to her best with a strong finishing win at Taree two weeks ago. Could measure up.

How to play it: Toomuchtobear WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Sticking with 1. Exotic Ruby who was a shade unlucky when runner-up at Kensington two weeks ago as favourite in a similar race. Again draws well and a good track would suit her perfectly. Chance to go one better.

Dangers: 9. Sebrenco is the up and comer who has won two of her four starts with a couple of close seconds as well. Both wins have been on good ground and she was too slick for them at Wyong last time. Could measure up. 5. Windsweep disappointed when well in the market here two starts ago then back to his best at Gosford beating Sammy. Mixing his form a bit but has each-way claims. 6. Eye See Things is consistent and broke through for a solid on pace win at Wyong. Drawn to be handy again and has a show.

How to play it: Exotic Ruby WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Exotic Ruby runs second at Kensington on July 28

12. Brazenpine hasn’t won for a while but she is a real short courser and didn’t have the best of luck behind Sixgun at Randwick last time. Will need the breaks in what should be a real scamper but good each-way chance if she gets them.

Dangers: 9. Nicci’s Song is a speedy mare with a very good record when racing on the pace. Far too slick for them first-up in the heavy at Goulburn, her previous win was on a good track in fast time at Albury. Should give a good sight. Read trainer Graeme Murray's comments here. 3. Remlaps Gem finished sixth in the same event at Randwick after racing handy. Gets in well with the 3kg claim and if he finds the lead he could take running down. 15. Stormborn won a good form race at Hawkesbury before beaten favourite at Kembla. Up in class but lightly raced and no surprise if she's in the finish.

How to play it: Brazenpine E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Brazenpine runs fifth at Randwick on July 31

4. Soami is racing in super form on all conditions and stalked before pouncing to win at Kensington two weeks ago. Up 150m but that holds no fears given how strong he was late last time. Again drawn ideally and no reason he can’t repeat with the 3kg claim.

Dangers: 13. Head Of State is a big market watch. Won first-up last prep at this distance then had cardiac arrhythmia when well beaten in the Pago Pago. Takes on older horses but drawn well and had a quiet trial leading in. 9. Defeat broke through in dominant fashion back onto a good track at Wyong a couple of weeks ago, and was well supported too. Steps up in grade but drawn nicely and is an each-way hope again. 2. A Magic Zariz is a tough customer and has gone down fighting at his past few starts. Hard to leave out.

How to play it: Soami WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Soami wins at Kensington on July 28

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Newcastle meeting