By Neil Evans
Track Soft 7 and rail out +10m
Race 1 3YO MAIDEN HCP (900m): |
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We start over the short course on another very testing read with plenty of lead-up rain, and a trio of fillies all resuming can fight it out. Back for a second prep, 2. Field Wiri only has to get through the ground to win. Handed two strong progressive trials, and while she's never raced on rain-affected, being by Deep Field out of an I Am Invincible mare is a big tick.
Dangers: Also returning, Godolphin-trained 5. Ultra looks ready to go off a tidy provincial trial, and bred to thrive in this going. Snitzel-sired 3. Miss Maz has had two trials, the latest on a Soft 7 rating.
How to play it: Field Wiri to win and quinella 2 and 5. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 2 FILLIES & MARES MAIDEN HCP (1600m): |
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Out to the mile for the girls, and hard to see emerging three-year-old 1. Willowy getting beat fourth-up in her first prep, given she was nominated for the Oaks at Flemington. Chased home a good one last start who in turn had come through a Listed metro race, and should appreciate the big spacious track. By one of the better wet track sires in former Doncaster winner Kermadec.
Dangers: Keep safe 3. Youthfull who draws to get a soft run third-up; while at bigger odds 8. Just Like Lisa will be running home late after being preferred here to Tamworth on Monday.
How to play it: Willowy to win and trifecta 1/3,8/3,8. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 3 CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1890m): |
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Out to one of those in-between middle distances looks the ticket for consistent five-year-old 3. Jesse James who seemingly has this at his mercy third-up in suitable ground. Charged late to just miss in a deeper provincial race after an easy maiden win, and has only missed a place once in eight starts. Loves the wet, and should win in a canter.
Dangers: Doubt there are any, but quinella players can hop aboard improving mare 7. Deel Street third-up after hitting the line nicely in a handy provincial BM 64; while 9. Patrina is ready for this trip after four spaced runs back.
How to play it: Jesse James to win and quinella 3 and 7. Odds and Evens: Odds
Race 4 FILLIES & MARES CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): |
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Another one likely to go off odds-on is exciting El Roca mare 4. Norwegian Bliss who brushed aside a handy country maiden field on debut, and this isn't much tougher. Draws to park right behind the speed, and already proven in soft ground.
Dangers: Progressive four-year-old mare 5. Sheer Treasure resumes off a quiet trial; and provincial mare 2. Spanish Pearl is a big watch after hitting the line nicely first-up.
How to play it: Norwegian Bliss to win. Odds and Evens: Evens
Race 5 MAIDEN PLATE (1250m): |
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A two-prong match race after a stack of scratchings. Keen on three-year-old Irish-bred colt 6. Strombus who debuts behind two recent trials where he was asked to find the line. Leading metro jockey sticks solid from those trials, and bred to relish wet ground.
Dangers: So You Think-sired four-year-old 1. Pascal is the immediate threat returning off a strong trial win where he showed plenty of natural speed.
How to play it: Strombus to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 6 COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES CLASS 1 HCP (1300m): |
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Progressive five-year-old 4. Torinda was ridden closer fourth-up here to land his maiden, and can take the next step crucially on a 10 day back-up. Had previously worked home strongly from midfield in a good quality maiden, and prefers rain-affected ground.
Dangers: Keep safe talented three-year-old 9. Contributingfactor who thundered home to just miss resuming in a country BM 58, and drops sharply in weight for this tougher test; while 8. Trinity Missile has chased home a couple of smart sprinters, and is desperate for this longer journey.
How to play it: Torinda to win. Odds and Evens: Split
Race 7 BENCHMARK 68 HCP (1600m): |
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Hard fit five-year-old 11. We All Agree was strong through the line winning a CL2 on the South Coast. Up in grade, but thrives on rain-affected ground and drawn to stay off the fence.
Dangers: Local mare 5. Miss Scalini has built a solid record ahead of her 23rd start, and again draws to park right behind the speed; while 1. Lord Heron who will roll forward, and has won twice from seven starts at this track.
How to play it: We All Agree to win and box exacta 1,5,11. Odds and Evens: Odds a special
BEST BETS:
R3: QUINELLA 3 & 7
R5 6. STROMBUS
BEST VALUE:
R7 11. WE ALL AGREE
All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Newcastle meeting