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By John Schell

(Selections based on a heavy track)

5. Outcast Girl was resuming from a spell and hit the line well enough when finishing third at Hawkesbury last time out. That was on the back of a barrier trial, and her three starts last campaign were all satisfactory efforts despite not figuring in the placings. She gets her chance to break through here.

Dangers: 6. Overwatch made her debut at Canterbury and finished eighth against tougher company than she meets here. She should be improved by that run and is worth including among the main chances here. 1. Bubbles And Caviar showed improvement at her second start when finishing second at Taree and can be placed here with a repeat of that. 8. Kata Kapi has had two runs back from a spell and should be ready to peak now which could see her sneak into the placings.

How to play it: Outcast Girl WIN.

1. Fox City has had three barrier trials in preparation for this which will be his debut performance. He wasn’t beaten far in the latest of them at Warwick Farm and should be given plenty of through in this line-up.

Dangers: 4. Royalify was placed at Goulburn and Newcastle at his first two starts back from a spell, then had every chance at Hawkesbury as favourite last time out only to disappoint when missing a place. He can bounce back here. 5. Fifth Force resumed from a spell with a handy enough effort at Newcastle and can improve here, while 6. Bertie ran second at Wyong last week and can be placed again here.

How to play it: Fox City WIN.

1. Duke Of Bronte had two starts late last year and missed a place in each of them despite showing some potential. He has had two runs since resuming from a spell and ran well in each of them when finishing second both times. He’s drawn wide here but will push forward and take running down.

Dangers: 3. Glenbower debuted in March last year and ran well when fourth on the Kensington track. He’s had a recent trial leading into this return and has solid place claims. 7. Montigo Bay ran well enough on debut and is not out of this. 6. Luna Lee looks to be the best of the rest.

How to play it: Duke Of Bronte WIN.

3. Noir Vitesse showed improvement when narrowly beaten at Goulburn at his latest start. The 1600m looks like it will suit and he should give a good account of himself again.

Dangers: 4. Highland Eightgee battled on well for a last start second at Hawkesbury in what was an improved showing on his previous run at Wyong. He can run well again here from a good barrier. 1. Rhinestone Lad had some mixed trial efforts before debuting with a midfield Scone run and he can be placed here with improvement. 6. Bellascent was placed at Tuncurry last time out and could be placed again in this with a repeat.

How to play it: Noir Vitesse WIN.

2. Vadamos Queen has been placed in each of her three starts since resuming from a spell and she is knocking on the door for a win.

Dangers: 4. So Sleek disappointed at this track at his first run for the new stable and is capable of improvement in this. 9. Unowho ran well at Hawkesbury at his latest start and can show up in this without surprising. 8. Professor Pickles won two on end when resuming and comes into this on the back of a last start sixth.

How to play it: Vadamos Queen WIN.

3. Shuri has only had two starts but won both of them in good style at Taree and this track. She resumes here and has had a couple of solid recent trials.

Dangers: 2. There There won a couple on end at this track and Gosford last October, and has since resumed with a fifth at Kembla Grange leading into this. She should run well in this. 4. Gendarmerie led and fought on strongly to score at Hawkesbury when last produced and a repeat of that would have her in the thick of things here. 7. Linguee has run well in her latest two starts when finishing fourth in each of them. She can be placed here with a repeat of those efforts.

How to play it: Shuri WIN.

1. Dimaggio lead and fought on well for a placing two starts ago, then settled back and hit the line strongly to win at Wyong last week. He is racing well enough to give this a shake.

Dangers: 7. Missile Seeker has been racing well this campaign and has the talent to finish in the thick of things again, while 6. French Marine can be placed here of he shows his best form. 2. Tannenburg was scratched at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to be saved for this and has solid form.

How to play it: Dimaggio WIN..

3. The Escape finished second in each of three starts last campaign and is primed for this on the back of two recent trials.

Dangers: 10. Rockin’ Millie has a good record and comes into this on the back of a last start second at Gosford. 11. Amazing Nicci is third-up from a spell and should be primed to run well. 2. Dame Cartland is resuming from a spell and could sprint well fresh.

How to play it: The Escape WIN.

Best Bets:
Race (4) 3 Noir Vitesse.
Race 5 (2) Vadamos Queen.

Best Value:
Race 2 (1) Fox City.

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