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By Ray Hickson

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

2. Grand Larceny holds the key to this race, up from a sound enough debut at Bendigo when favourite a month ago. Seemed to have his chance there but unless there’s something above average in the first starters then he’s clearly the horse to beat.

Dangers: 4. Copper Satin is a local on debut and she has trialled up quite nicely to run a cheeky race. Not sure what was behind her in her Beaumont trial just under two weeks ago but she did it easily and bears close watching. 6. Little Bit Flash started big odds at her first outing at Scone and did a pretty handy job after sitting off the track throughout. Tricky draw again but could get into the placings. 1. Close Encounter is another first starter coming off a nice enough trial win. He’s only had the one outing and drew away late in the 790m heat at Kembla. Each-way.

How to play it: Grand Larceny WIN ($1.45 TAB Fixed Odds).

2. Go Troppo comes back to provincial level after racing in Midways of late and he boxed on strongly to run third behind Loving Cilla at Randwick last time out. Softer draw here might held after being exposed in that race. Good chance.

Dangers: 8. Allapercanto backed up her debut placing with a maiden win here almost a month ago. She did get the breaks through the field from the back in that 1400m event and steps up sharply in distance but she also still has the upside. 7. Got An Inspiration ran up to his odds-on quote with a runaway win in a Benchmark 58 on the Beaumont second-up from a freshen up. Placed over this course prior and is one of the chances. 3. Casirina didn’t have the best of luck at Taree and ran on well into fourth over a mile. He’s an honest type who can run well in an open race.

How to play it: Go Troppo WIN ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Go Troppo runs third at Randwick on September 30

8. Hasty Honey won’t get a better chance to break through. She raced on the speed in the Flight Stakes before weakening but she was clearly outclassed there. Prior she had a tough run to find the lead at Kembla and did a good job to hold on for fourth. Always shown promise and the one to beat.

Dangers: 7. Daytona Gal hit the line well into second at Hawkesbury two starts back but didn’t get into the race at all behind a runaway winner at Wyong. Forgive that, she gets a nice run from gate one and can be in the finish. 10. Our Frankie is fitter for two runs back in the country and was a drifter second-up at Scone when midfield over 1400m. Was placed here back in March at a mile and if he can run up to that he’s in the mix. 9. Mr Luke is a 24 start maiden but he’s not been too far away of late. Comes back to the mile from a couple of runs at 2000m and another placing isn’t beyond him.

How to play it: Hasty Honey WIN ($1.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Hasty Honey runs fourth at Kembla on September 14

4. Just Gisella has raced twice at provincial level and been in the finish both times. Sat outside the lead and boxed on for third here last time. Might appreciate a bit of cover and if she gets it then she can be a major player in this field.

Dangers: 2. Kobenhavn is an interesting runner resuming after just one run where she hung off the track when in the market in a BM64 here in May. Latest trial was encouraging and any support would be significant. 1. Smokin’ Crazy will be fitter for an even return at Scone where she was a moderate drifter in betting but she still held her ground okay. Draws soft and did win her maiden here in April. Keep in mind. 3. Trendy Lass hasn’t raced since contesting the Sweet Embrace last year won by Fireburn and has switched camps to the Maher/Eustace yard. May need the run but watch betting.

How to play it: Just Gisella WIN ($2.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Just Gisella runs third at Newcastle on September 30

2. Ambassadors was expected to fire when he resumed here in July but only battled after sitting up outside the speed. Freshened again and looked the goods winning a trial last month on the Beaumont. In nicely with the claim and should run well.

Dangers: 7. It’sacircus hit the line with plenty of purpose to score on debut at Kembla over 1200m. The extra 100m should suit him and he’ll get a nice smother from the inside barrier. Shows promise and could measure up quickly. 8. Solar System led when winning a maiden but couldn’t find the front last time at Wyong and worked home late into a close fourth. Up in distance could see him find the front this time and he’s worth another chance. 1. Let’s Try pounced on the lead and controlled things to score a maiden win at Wyong two weeks ago after a couple of second placings. In-form and could easily go on with the job.

How to play it: Ambassadors E/W ($6.00 TAB Fixed Odds).

Ambassadors wins a Newcastle trial on September 29

12. Narrative hasn’t had the best of luck this preparation and her effort last time at Kembla suggests she’s going well if the breaks come her way. Extra 100m looks a plus and draws a little better this time around. Good each-way chance.

Dangers: 13. There There has now been placed in six of her seven starts and thought she had her chance in the latest at Hawkesbury a month ago. Tricky draw but she’ll get one of these races sooner or later. Has to be included. 1. Another Val had a mixed preparation in the late autumn culminating in narrow defeat over 1400m at Kembla. Fitter for two trials, may need this but should be finishing off strongly. 9. Rockola held his ground well on debut to finish midfield over 1250m here. May look for a little further but a likely improver.

How to play it: Narrative E/W ($3.90 TAB Fixed Odds).

Narrative runs fifth at Kembla on September 23

1. Picko Rocks is enjoying a fruitful campaign with a couple of wins and almost made it three when runner-up here almost a month ago. Has a consistent record and with even luck should be in the finish somewhere again.

Dangers: 6. Two Up got the job done in good style sitting handy off a wide gate and powering away to score over this course last month. Struck a purple patch of form and from gate one should be one of the main players again. 4. The Seven Seas is another who has hit some form recently with placings at Newcastle and Wyong in September. Might have to press forward from the alley but if she finds a handy spot can be in the finish. 8. Iverson is fitter for two runs back and he came from an impossible position to run fourth at Wyong last time when back slightly in trip. Well suited here and expect he should be competitive at least.

How to play it: Picko Rocks WIN ($5.50 TAB Fixed Odds).

Picko Rocks runs second at Newcastle on September 16

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