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By John Schell

Selections based on a good track

3. Pushy has only had the two starts but he has looked good winning both of them. He justified favouritism to score at this track last time out and has had a trial since then to keep him in check.

Dangers: 7. Orzala resumed from a spell with a solid second at this track when she hit the line well and has since finished midfield on the Kensington track at Randwick. She is suited here. 1. Pure Hydrogen scored a strong Kembla Grange win two starts back before failing at Gosford. He has since had a barrier trial in which he finished fourth at Randwick behind Last Straw. 8. Last Straw won on debut back in March before resuming with a down the track effort at Kembla Grange. She has since won a barrier trial and has claims here.

How to play it: Pushy WIN.

2. Ahuriri started at double figure odds when on debut at Sandown but ran well when finishing second when beaten narrowly. The filly has since returned to Sydney where she finished second in a Warwick Farm trial. From the good barrier she can figure prominently.

Dangers: 1. Alvina’s Luck has only had two starts and has performed well in both with a second at Hawkesbury being followed by a fourth at this track when favourite. She’s drawn to advantage here and is sure to be in the thick of things. 4. Autumnmation ran well on debut at Canterbury then finished a solid second here last time out. She’s drawn wide but can still figure. 3. Allapercanto was solid when finishing second at Kembla Grange on debut and only needs to overcome a wide alley to be prominent here.

How to play it: Ahuriri WIN.

8. Nondisclosure is on debut here for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable. He had three trials earlier in the year but since coming back into work he has won two trials in preparation for this. Zac Lloyd takes the ride here and he only needs to run up to his trial form to be figuring in the finish here.

Dangers: 3. Meet Me In Bondi finished last in the Tulloch Stake before being spelled and has had two trials to prepare for this return to racing. 2. Territory Express contested better races than this last campaign and wasn’t disgraced. He shouldn’t be taken lightly. 1. Side Show was resuming from a spell when finishing second at this track and should have derived benefit from that outing.

How to play it: Nondisclosure WIN.

6. Diabelli resumed from a spell with a win at this track before heading to Melbourne for a down the track effort at Sandown. He since returned to NSW where he has finished second at Kembla Grange and this track last time out. He is rock hard fit and this race looks made to order.

Dangers: 7. Glad You Think So broke his maiden with a win at this track last time out and has plenty of upside. He can give a good sight again. 5. Yet He Moves was given a good ride to score at Gosford last time out and he has the talent to give this a shake. 4. Skylon didn’t have the best of luck in the straight at Wyong last time out and is ready to produce his best here.

How to play it: Diabelli WIN.

2. Luncies was racing well last campaign when running placings in races including the Scone Cup before breaking through with a group 3 win at Eagle Farm. Trainer Kris Lees has him up to the mark for this with two trials under his belt and he has the services of champion jockey Damien Oliver.

Dangers: 7. Palmetto hit form last campaign with a couple of wins including The Coast at Gosford. He resumed with a midfield effort in the Tramway and strips fitter for this. The Lees prepared 11. Inver Park and 14. Spangler have been just behind the placings in recent runs and both can figure here.

How to play it: Luncies EACH WAY.

4. Razeta is second-up from a spell here on the back of a resuming fourth at Rosehill. She is a well performed mare at her best having won at the Melbourne Cup carnival last year and also scoring in the South Pacific Classic during the Sydney autumn. Razita has drawn awkwardly here but there should be sufficient speed on to allow her to hit the line strongly.

Dangers: 1. Wollombi is having her third run back from a spell here and should be primed to run well following a last start third in good grade at Wyong. 9. Banana Queen hasn’t been disgraced in her three runs back from a break and can be placed here, while 6. Mirra View was a surprise last start winner but can be thereabouts again without surprising.

How to play it: Razeta EACH WAY.

2. Cleveland had two runs in the autumn for trainer Joseph O’Brien when fifth in the Tancred Stakes before a failure in the Sydney Cup when well fancied. He has since joined the Kris Lees stable and resumed from a spell with a solid fourth at Randwick. He will be improved by that effort and despite drawing wide here should push forward and take plenty of running down.

Dangers: 10. Kalapour performed well during the Brisbane winter carnival during which his form included a win in group 3 company at Doomben. He resumed with a solid third at Rosehill then struck trouble and lost its rider in the Wyong Cup so that can be entirely forgotten. Kalapour has drawn wide here but is set to run on strongly. 7. Sir Lucan resumed from a spell with a midfield effort at Caulfield. He will appreciate the step up in distance here and will give cheek from an on-speed position. 3. Alegron was put out of play in the Wyong Cup when trouble occurred and virtually pulled up. Put a line through that run and give him some thought in this.

How to play it: Cleveland WIN.

5. Alicia Roma has had eight starts and has won four of them and been placed in the other four. She resumes from a spell in this having won her latest two starts at this track before the break. From barrier two, Alicia Roma can utilise her speed and take plenty of running down.

Dangers: 2. Zoukerino has had two barrier trials to ready himself for this return to racing. He failed in the Fireball in the autumn, but this time last year he was competitive in much better races than this, with a win in The Rosebud his best performance. 7. Wondereach was a winner at Nowra three starts ago and was down the track at Canterbury before being spelled. He’s trialled twice in preparation for this return to racing and can sprint well fresh. 6. Oxford Vision is drawn to advantage in barrier one and can give some cheek from there.

How to play it: Alicia Roma WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 2 (2) Ahuriri.
Race 8 (5) Alicia Roma.

Best Value:
Race 5 (2) Luncies.

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