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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Saturday’s Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a soft to heavy track.

2. Selhurst Park is a good chance to break through third-up after boxing on okay at Canterbury last time on a heavy track. Blinkers go back on, drawn to lead them and sure to take some running down with the shorter trip.

Dangers: 9. Ultra had a few chances last time in but was placed a couple of times on soft ground. Trialled up okay, drawn well and is in the mix. 7. Song Writer is another well bred Godolphin filly, she's trialled okay of late and would be no surprise if she's in the finish. 3. Shirshov switches states and comes into this race as a trial winner. Ran second of four in only heavy track start.

How to play it: Selhurst Park WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds).

Selhurst Park runs third at Canterbury on March 10

12. Pretty Shamrock had no luck at all on debut with a wide run on speed but held all but the winner at bay at Gosford. Drawn one this time around, seemed to be okay in the wet first-up and could easily go one better.

Dangers: 10. Perpignan made some ground late without threatening behind Willinga Beast at Canterbury at her third start. Extra 100m might be a plus for her and she has every chance on paper. 7. Florida Sky made a promising debut at Gosford in the same race as Pretty Shamrock, running on from worse than midfield into fourth. Fitter for that and any improvement would see her in the finish somewhere. 11. Ponca wasn't disgraced here on debut then again at Canberra behind Sweet Ride. Both runs on reasonably soft tracks and worth including.

How to play it: Pretty Shamrock WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Pretty Shamrock runs second at Gosford on March 12

4. Gigantic gave a sight here first-up then struck a pretty solid maiden and wasn’t disgraced finishing midfield behind Dalchini. Find this one a little easier and might be able to race handier. Give another chance.

Dangers: 2. Silent Thunder has been honest in two runs back from a spell at this track and while beaten favourite second-up was entitled to fade a little late. Drawn to get a soft run and is capable of showing up. 12. Tiempe Passate has been threatening a win, had her chance here over 1880m last time when favourite. Not sure if she can take advantage of barrier one as she’s continued to settle back in the field but if she can this is a good chance for her. 9. Scat's Surfer Girl disappointed when in the market on a heavy track at Canterbury last time but two prior runs good enough to give her a shot.

How to play it: Gigantic E/W ($19 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Gigantic runs sixth at Newcastle on February 24

11. Monfelicity is showing staying ability and went down by the bob of the head over this course a month ago. Will put herself in the first few in running and she’d only need a repeat performance for her to go close.

Dangers: 5. Sea Treasures drops in weight and draws kindly after he was a beaten favourite at Goulburn on a heavy track over a mile. Sharp jump in trip here and he was in the best part of the track running on last time but has to be respected. 9. Galifianakis has been competitive in both starts to date on this track. Led and boxed on when third over 1500m here a month back. Decent gap between runs and distance increase but can’t overlook. 1. Bob has one win from 21 starts so has had his share of chances but he’s generally pretty consistent. Handles the sting out of the ground well and has to be included in the chances.

How to play it: Monfelicity WIN ($3.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Monfelicity runs second at Newcastle on February 24

3. By Nine was no match for a smart one on debut at Hawkesbury but he was very strong late and can only be better for it. Has trialled since then and should take plenty of holding out, hopefully he doesn’t find it too short.

Dangers: 2. Norman has had a number of trials over a period of time and now steps out, worked home well in his latest trials and has struck a winnable race. Keep safe. 8. Salizada made some ground into third at her first outing at Gosford. Very well bred filly, drawn nicely and open to improvement. 11. Hinchinjive ran a fair race first-up at Gosford on a heavy track and could have some upside.

How to play it: By Nine WIN ($2.30 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

By Nine runs second at Hawkesbury on February 4

3. Jimmy’s Dream is yet to miss a place in 10 starts for just one win but he might not be far off a second victory after a sound return at Gosford over 1200m. Extra trip a big plus, drawn ideally and he will be in the finish.

Dangers: 6. Calgary King is another honest type and he’s been placed in three of four runs this time in. Loomed up at Goulburn last time but was out-toughed. Down 3.5kg and is one of the main hopes. 4. Kopangi is lightly raced and improved with racing in his first preparation. Hit the line strongly on debut at 1400m and sure to be running on at the finish. 12. Fonce Factor held on okay when resuming at Muswellbrook and given that was her first run for two years she can only improve fitness wise. Each-way claims.

How to play it: Jimmy’s Dream WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Jimmy’s Dream runs third at Gosford on March 12

3. Pleading holds the key to this race as she showed a heap of promise winning all four runs last time in but hard to get a good guide on her trials leading in. Market watch given the trials but on race form is the one to beat.

Dangers: 9. Sebrenco can be forgiven for second-up flop in a Provincial-Midway Championships heat and had excuses first-up. Form last prep was promising and is capable of improving sharply. 8. Little Steiny didn't do much first-up on a good track but does handle the sting out of the ground and his best is good enough to see him placed at least. 2. Son Of Sampson has his first run for Gary Portelli and was a trial winner a month ago. Is a heavy track winner and can't be left out.

How to play it: Pleading WIN ($1.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Pleading’s latest trial at Gosford on March 18

11. Grande Rumore is a huge winner with the move to Newcastle and her trials leading in suggest she’s come back in good order. Bolted in here in November and was competitive in metro company. Expecting her to be very hard to hold out.

Dangers: 18. Loch Lomond was honest without winning last time in and bears close watching here fresh. Fitter for a recent trial, and finished midfield in the Provincial Championships Final last year so has the ability to qualify again. Keep safe. 4. Different Strokes is another who will benefit from the track change, given his wide gate. Showed a heap of talent in his first preparation with his only failure coming in the Four Pillars. Wouldn’t be leaving him out. 12. Divine Breath is a little under rated and resumes with a couple of trials under her belt. Ran third in the Four Pillars and always performs fresh. Definite chance.

How to play it: Grande Rumore WIN ($3.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Grande Rumore’s latest trial at Gosford on March 18

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