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By Nick Berney

Tips and race by race preview by Nick Berney for Friday's Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a good track. Monitor for bias/pattern.

2. Don Quixote was restrained from a wide draw and got too far back in transit last start at Canterbury in a stronger grade. However, to his credit, he ran on hard into third and gave every indication the rise in distance should pose no issue. Further, the gelding has a strong platform, is a consistent type and can settle closer from a softer draw.

Dangers: 9. Frankie's Me Dad bolted in last start, and she did it in style. The lightly raced galloper is an improving type and is on an upwards ratings spiral this prep. Moreover, she maps to have all favours and can go on with it now. The blinkers came off 4. Jimmy Manolo last start, and he won dominantly at Tuncurry. A repeat of that performance can put him in the finish. Add 3. Inti and 1. Daneway to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Don Quixote WIN ($2.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Don Quixote runs third at Canterbury on February 24

6. Wymark had excuses on debut at Canterbury 30 days ago in a high-rating race and ran a brave third. The colt chased a fast tempo throughout and was blocked at critical stages in the final straight, but to his credit, he found the line well. Further, the form has since been confirmed with a subsequent winner. The Michael Freedman trained galloper will appreciate the rise in distance, brings a competitive last-start figure, and roll forward.

Dangers: Debutante 10. Madam Roselyn was ridden out in a recent trial, but she went through the line full of energy and is wound up for this event. 2. Inhibitions was well-ridden to score last start and has a favourable map. 8. Kintyre is still learning but will be hitting the line hard late.

How to play it: Wymark WIN ($3.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Wyamrk runs third at Canterbury on February 1

8. Higher Hand is coming out of time/sectional merit races this prep, and he was solid last start at Wyong. Moreover, the gelding made an early move to sit outside the leader at the 800m mark and looked to sustain a long sprint and battled on ok for third. He receives a significant barrier change, allowing him to roll forward from gate one and build into his own rhythm. Expect him to give a sight.

Dangers: 10. Piccadilly Lass beat Higher Hand last start after getting a good run-through, but she finished well. The mare is progressing well, and Newcastle suits. 9. Our Frankie will also benefit from a kinder draw in this event, and she is rock-hard fit. The four-year-old receives a gear change and can rate to win. Add 12. Trinity Beach and 6. The Wanderer to trifectas and first fours.

How to play it: Higher Hand WIN ($2.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Higher Hand runs third last start at Wyong on February 21

2. Grand Crusader trialled well prior to his first-up performance at Wyong 10 days ago, where he was solid in defeat, running third and SPed the $2.10 favourite. Further, he wasn't suited to the moderate tempo and didn't handle the tight-turning track, but once balancing up, he clocked one of the fastest final 200m splits of the entire meeting. Although drawn wide, he can roll forward, and last time the gelding led, he produced his career peak figure that can put him in the finish here. Additionally, he is on a backup and expect him to give a sight. Each-way.

Dangers: 9. Pereille has started a short-price favourite in all his career starts and has only been beaten by short margins. The Godolphin galloper has multiple winning figures, the bigger track suits, and will be hard to beat but has been well found in the early market. 7. Iron Man won a recent trial at Hawkesbury in style, and her debut figure can win this race. He maps well and will hit the line hard. 3. Deep Fury ran slick closing splits first-up and market watch on 6. Invincible Legend who has two quiet trials.

How to play it: Grand Crusader E/W ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Grand Crusader runs third at Wyong on February 21

5. Lasqueti Boom wasn't suited to the sit/sprint race shape first-up at Warwick Farm 9 days ago but ran on well into third. Further, she clocked one of the fastest final 600m splits of the meeting, and his ratings/sectional profiles suggests she will bounce off that performance. The filly improved significantly between runs last prep, and the step out to 1400m onto a bigger track is ideal. In addition, she brings the best last-start figure and, with an anticipated genuine tempo, expect her to savage the line. Good each-way.

Dangers: 2. Barmera is rock-hard fit and was brave in defeat running second last start at Hawkesbury. Moreover, he beat the rest easily, and a repeat of that performance can put him in the finish. 10. Zakiyya will be suited back in distance and Newcastle suits. She brings solid metropolitan form and is a market watch. 8. Fall For Cindy has trialled well and has been well-fancied in the early market. 11. In Love And War can bounce back on a dry track.

How to play it: Lasqueti Boom E/W ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Lasqueti Boom runs third at Warwick Farm on February 22

1. New Republic returns to his home track fourth up, where he has a strong record and looks set to peak. Two starts back, he ran slick closing sectionals and then had excuses when racing in the inferior ground last start at Rosehill in a Midway Handicap (1500m). The Mark Minervini trained galloper has produced his career peak figures deep into a prep and the wide draw suits. Moreover, the step back in distance suits and expect him to run well. Each-way.

Dangers: 6. Rockbarton Roman is an interesting galloper who has had a long-time off but has trialled well enough. He can sprint fresh, maps well and has multiple winning figures. 4. Catapult brings strong form lines to this, and with luck from the gate, he can be in the finish. 12. Wealthofknowledge is set to improve and can settle much closer with a significant barrier change. 10. The Carpet Bagger will roll forward and 7. Martini Crusader's SP profile must be respected.

How to play it: New Republic E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

New Republic last start at Rosehill on February 18

3. Cross Talk profiles well for this event and has a positive race setup. The five-year-old started a fancied $1.90 favourite first-up at Rosehill, and although having every chance, he was honest. He will be fitter for that effort, drops 4.5kg, which will only enhance his key asset in acceleration, and he maps to have complete control of the pace. In addition, he has a fantastic record, multiple winning figures and a starting price edge over some of his main rivals. Expect him to take some catching and be hard to beat.

Dangers: 8. Cuban Royale is in career-best form, and his past few runs have been full of merit. Further, he is coming out of time/sectional merit races this prep and the big Newcastle track suits. 5. Superium had the pace/bias against him last start and ran on well. He has an awkward gate but will be running on. 9. Kiss Sum and 4. Looks Like Elvis both had excuses last start and can bounce back.

How to play it: Cross Talk WIN ($1.95 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Cross Talk runs second at Rosehill on February 18

15. Yankee Hussel resumes after two solid trials where she hasn't been extended on both occasions and has gone through the line full of energy. First-up last prep, she had too much to do and wasn't suited, but she still ran one of the meeting's fastest final 200m splits. Moreover, the relatively lightly raced filly has raced in Group/Listed races throughout her career and has started respectable prices in those assignments. Although 1200m is short of her best trip, the anticipated genuine tempo will allow her to build momentum and savage the line. Each-way.

Dangers: 7. Shohei resumes without an official public trial, but first-up last prep, she won well and ran a slick time at this track. She maps to have all favours and is a key late-market watch. 11. Sir Ming returns as a gelding and has trialled well enough. 13. Mistress won well at this track on debut and resumes here.

How to play it: Yankee Hussel E/W ($8.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Yankee Hussel's latest trial at Beaumont Newcastle on February 16

Best Bet: Race 5 # 5 - Lasqueti Boom

Next Best: Race 7 # 3 - Cross Talk

Best Value: Race 8 # 15 - Yankee Hussel

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