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By Gary Harley

Kris Lees and his apprentice Dylan Gibbons will combine with three-year-old filly Bespangled, the $3.80 TAB second favourite in the Australian Bloodstock Fillies & Mares Maiden Handicap (1200m) on the Newcastle Beaumont Track on Tuesday

Despite remaining winless in her five starts, Bespangled has outstanding form for this race.

In her two starts at Gosford in January before she went for a spell, the filly was beaten 0.73 and 1.18 lengths and she has the speed to overcome the wide barrier.

Dylan Gibbons [pictured left] was aboard Bespangled first-up on the Kensington Track on March 8, and she had no luck.

Trapped three wide with no cover the filly was gallant in finishing third, 2¼ lengths from the winner.

Bespangled will face strong opposition from Doubtless Lady ($4.40) who has a soft draw. The filly had two starts late last year, both on the Newcastle Course Proper.

In both starts she was strong late, going down by 1.01 and 1.67 lengths.

L’esperance Rock ($5) has put the writing on the wall in recent starts, and she can break through in the New Era Technology Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m).

Three starts back on the Newcastle Course Proper she was placed behind two potential Group winners.

The mare was narrowly beaten on this track on February 13, and last start at Taree she was nailed on the line. She has drawn well and Ash Morgan rides.

Richard Litt’s three-year-old Romeo’s Choice ($3 favourite) is well placed in the Kloster Motor Group CG&E Maiden Handicap (1200m).

The gelding has been runner-up in his past two starts at Canterbury and Hawkesbury. He is an on-pacer and Aaron Bullock has the mount.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here