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By Ray Hickson

Tips and race by race preview by Ray Hickson for Thursday’s Newcastle meeting. Selections based on a good track.

5. Wheel has only trialled once and it was a nice one down at Kembla and no doubt he could have won had he been asked to. Draws the inside and if he can hold his position early he can be expected to be strong late. Like to see him solid in the market but go well.

Dangers: 9. Tillotson has been to the trials a few times over the past five months and there was plenty to like about her latest at Kembla behind Jamaea beaten two lengths. Sure to run well here. 1. Rocstar Boy has race experience via a handy debut at Canberra back in December where he settled back and ran on to just miss. Has won a trial since and is one of the main chances. 2. Ernos Magic comes through quite a strong trial won by Saif at Rosehill a few weeks ago with a subsequent winner also in third. Tricky draw but otherwise has to be respected.

How to play it: Wheel WIN ($3.10 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Wheel runs second in a Kembla trial on April 7

7. Cotehele looks a promising youngster making his debut on the back of two handy trials in the past few weeks. Bred to handle a bit of distance so kicking off at 1300m is suitable and he’s drawn well. Hard to beat on what we’ve seen so far.

Dangers: 9. Ovoid has been scratched a couple of times recently but debuts here from gate one after an easy trial win at Rosehill back on March 29. He’ll likely be in the first few in running and commands some respect. 5. Tuscan Gaze has had a few chances and comes back from a mile about six weeks ago where he boxed on okay for second at Warwick Farm. Fresh run was solid enough and he can be competitive. 4. Supreme Challenger made a solid enough debut at Newcastle a few weeks back, blinkers go on so is a likely improver on it.

How to play it: Cotehele WIN ($2.40 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Cotehele runs second in a trial at Randwick on April 9

2. Poignant tried hard at his first outing when runner-up at Gosford on a soft 7. Had support there and ran up to it without winning, fitter here and looms as one of the hardest to beat.

Dangers: 1. Explosive Truth has run four seconds from his last five starts around this sort of trip and wouldn’t need to improve too much to break through. Probably best to ignore his latest trial on the synthetic and go on his handy first trial. Danger in the small field. 4. Supreme Leader disappointed on a heavy track first-up but showed more than enough last time in to say he can do better on a good track. 5. Curtis Island ran well to place at Kensington second-up before a fair effort at Gosford. Could be placed here.

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

Poignant runs second at Gosford on April 1

4. All At Sea made a very strong return albeit on a heavy track with a closing third at Wyong two weeks ago. Shapes as though the extra trip will be a plus and in a very winnable race, if she can lift on that fresh run, is a big chance.

Dangers: 1. Ricky Bobby led them up when resuming at Nowra and disappointed as he dropped off pretty quickly in the straight. He’s better than that as his form in his first prep showed so watch for an improved performance here. 11. Sarcophagus was an $81 chance in the same race as All At Sea and found the line quite well without threatening late into fifth. That was her first sign of any form and is worth including as an each-way chance. 10. Mexican Standoff is also hitting form at the right time and did a good job to run into second at Mudgee last start off the outside alley. This is no harder so he also worth including.

How to play it: All At Sea WIN ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

All At Sea runs third at Wyong on April 8

1. Prospero is a handy middle distance galloper who resumed with a powerful win at Port Macquarie and now steps into his right distance range. Second-up form was always better than fresh form so winning first-up is a good sign. No reason he can’t go on with it.

Dangers: 8. Rock The Bells won on debut at this track and it was a much better effort at her latest attempt at Kembla when going down narrowly over a mile. Drawn well again and in a wide open race is a good chance. 13. Rebel Rama is a last start maiden winner around this trip and it was quite a dominant performance coming from the back. Consistent type who can put herself in the finish somewhere. 10. Casirina drops sharply in weight on his third at Muswellbrook two weeks ago as favourite. Has been racing well and not without a chance.

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

Prospero wins at Port Macquarie on April 3

4. Shamani looked promising last prep though was a beaten favourite in two starts since her impressive maiden win. Narrowly beaten on debut at 1400m and sure to be hitting the line strongly, watch betting for a pointer.

Dangers: 3. Sophomore was a slight drifter in betting first-up but stuck on well to place at Hawkesbury. Likes this track and second-up form is superior so expect her to be an improver. 8. Spanish Pearl is racing we’ll and finished ahead of Sophomore when runner-up in that Hawkesbury event. In well with the claim and has to be considered one of the chances. 2. Dreaming Of Gold has been not far off them in a couple of Provincial Championships Qualifiers and this is a shade easier. Drawn well and with the claim has her chance to feature.

How to play it: Shamani E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Shamani's trial at Rosehill on March 29

6. Adelaide’s Light had his first start for the Snowden camp and was far too good breaking his maiden at 1300m as a very short priced favourite. Form lines through his first prep are very strong and he’s clearly come back better. Can handle the class rise.

Dangers: 2. Dalaalaat was a bit unlucky at Warwick Farm two starts ago then a drifter in betting and never a threat though only beaten 2.6 lengths at Canterbury. Nicely drawn and claim helps so expect him to run well here. 7. Cuban Joe produced a big finish to round them up on debut and win running away at Kembla earlier this month. Up in trip from a kinder draw he’ll probably be closer and commands some respect. 12. Texas Storm broke through for a deserved win at Taree on a heavy track two weeks ago. Beaten less than three lengths in the G3 Newmarket here before that and is always a chance in this sort of race.

How to play it: Adelaide’s Light WIN ($2.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Adelaide’s Light wins at Kembla Grange on April 3

6. Siesta Key had a throw at the stumps in a Provincial Championships Qualifier first-up and wasn’t disgraced finishing midfield. Better suited back to 1200m and drawn nicely this time. A good each-way chance at least.

Dangers: 9. Time For Victory has hit form at his past two starts on soft and heavy tracks but he has won on top of the ground so that’s no negative. Drops 1kg after the claim on his latest run at Wyong and should give a good account. 11. Trophies Galore hasn’t won for a while but returned to form with a closing second over this course to Hit The Target two weeks ago. Tends to get back and run on and can run into the placings. 7. The Drake was placed here first-up at 900m and has been a beaten favourite at his past two starts at Grafton. Draws one and if he can find his best form he’s more than capable of being competitive.

How to play it: Siesta Key E/W ($7.00 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Siesta Key’s first-up run at Kembla Grange on April 3

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