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By John Schell

(Selections based on a soft track)

9. Whisker To Whisker is a handy enough mare that has had three runs back from a spell and should be cherry ripe now for the step up to the 2200m. She was safely held in her first two runs back but was hitting the line well last time out when finishing third at this track and the extra trip will suit.

Dangers: 2. Majestic Style finished fourth at this track when last produced and was a winner here four starts ago. She warrants respect in what is an open race. 8. Rapid Impact had been racing well before scoring a narrow victory at Muswellbrook. He backed that up with a second at Mudgee and is worth including among the main chances here. 7. By Nine has been just behind the placings in his latest two starts and there’s no reason he can’t figure prominently against these.

How to play it: Whisker To Whisker EACH WAY.

1. Monty Be Quick didn’t have the best of luck at his Australian debut at Hawkesbury, then failed to run on when unplaced at Scone at his second run back from a spell. He is up in trip for this and is worth another chance.

Dangers: 2. Rathoran has been placed in each of his latest two starts at Tamworth and Mudgee and he looks to have the talent to give this a shake if he can maintain that form. 3. Faye Runaway finished third at Kembla Grange when last produced in her best run to date. She can perform well here with a repeat. 5. Bellascent was placed at Tuncurry back in April and has finished fifth in each of her three starts since then. She can give cheek in this.

How to play it: Monty Be Quick WIN.

3. Dumebi took on handy opposition in his two starts last year and was spelled after a second at Canterbury. He resumed with a midfield effort at Warwick Farm and should be better for that hitout. This looks a nice race for him.

Dangers: 1. Beauty Edge performed well in two trials before debuting at Canterbury and running well enough when finishing third. He hasn’t struck an overly hard race here and warrants plenty of thought. 6. Ramius hit the line well enough when resuming with a fourth at this track and he only needs to run up to that to be a leading contender. 5. Nay Pee Cee finished second at Kempsey when resuming from a spell and looks to have the talent to give this a shake.

How to play it: Dumebi WIN.

1. Flyin’ The Pin is a well-bred filly which debuted at Goulburn and ran well enough when finishing third. She’s drawn wide here but should appreciate the step up in distance and she should be hitting the line well.

Dangers: 9. Sharpen The Knives has been placed in three of her four starts including seconds in each of her two runs since resuming from a spell. She’s well-bred and looks to have the ability to give this a shake. 7. Queen Strada is on debut and has had a solid grounding with a number of trials. A bold showing is on the cards. 10. Sparks Flying is lightly raced and could sneak into the placings here without surprising.

How to play it: Flyin’ The Pin WIN.

2. Angel Down has only had three starts but has impressed with a Scone debut victory being followed by a second at Caulfield and then a win at that track late last year. She’s had two trials to prepare for this.

Dangers: 3. Zarrose is a two-time winner and resumes from a spell here. She was placed at Warwick Farm earlier in the year and has solid provincial form following that. 4. La Freccia resumed on the Kensington track at Randwick with a safely held effort, but she is a city winner capable of sharp improvement. 6. Spicy Hotpot has run well at Kembla Grange at her latest two starts and was a winner at this track five starts ago. She has the ability to show up in this.

How to play it: Angel Down WIN.

9. Blue Tongue was at big odds when debuting at this track with a solid third. He ran home well enough in that event to suggest the extra 200m will suit. He looks to have talent and should run well again in this.

Dangers: 11. Customized was disappointing when resuming from a spell at Hawkesbury but his first two runs were good and he should be given plenty of thought. 1. Enterprise Private was safely held when resuming here but that was after a lengthy spell and he should strip much fitter for this. 6. Can Expect Greater ran well when a last start second at Wyong and has drawn well here.

How to play it: Blue Tongue WIN.

14. Pacific Warrior is resuming from a lengthy spell but has had two trials to be fitted for this return. His form last campaign was solid enough for him to be given a good chance of running well fresh.

Dangers: 5. Amicus Curiae resumed from a spell with a close-up fourth at Wyong, then ran well at Tamworth and Mudgee when finishing second in each of those runs. He’s racing well enough to give this a shake. 8. Start Line resumed from a long spell with a well beaten effort on the Kensington track, but has had a solid trial since then. 10. Surreal I Am has been thereabouts in two runs either side of a spell and is not out of this.

How to play it: Pacific Warrior EACH WAY.

3. Hell’s Itch started favourite when resuming from a spell at this track and he hit the line well to score a strong win. He only needs to run up to that effort to be rated the one to beat again.

Dangers: 6. Villa Tino looked good breaking his maiden at Wyong last time out and his previous form was solid enough for him to be rated a leading contender here. 10. Maz Kanata had a win and three placings in her first four starts either side of a spell and missed a place for the first time when fourth at this track when beaten less than a length at her latest start. 2. Denman Star is resuming and his latest trial was good. He’s drawn well and has the ability to run well.

How to play it: Hell’s Itch WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 5 (2) Angel Down.
Race 6 (9) Blue Tongue.

Best Value:
Race 1 (9) Whisker To Whisker.

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