Latest News

By Ray Hickson

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

5. Urbino is an import first-up here without an official trial but on what he’s shown in his five starts he’s clearly the one to beat. Ran second to Godolphin’s smart Ghostwatch (video below) at his second start, has performed on turf and finds a winnable race.

Dangers: 1. Devil Dan has placed in three of his last four starts including once over this trip where he gave a short priced favourite a big scare. Not far off a win and is sure to run well again. 8. Royal Anthem has made an art form of running second with nine of them to her name including seven from nine starts this prep. Every chance last time at Hawkesbury, doubt she has the punch required but she can place again. 3. Populist comes off a second as favourite at Muswellbrook, also doubt that’s good enough to get the cash here and he’s another contender for the minor money.

How to play it: Urbino WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

2.1m gns Derby entry Ghostwatch gets off the mark for @godolphin at @WolvesRaces - a first British winner since 2013 for jockey Brett Doyle! pic.twitter.com/e0IAcpY9EW

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 21, 2018

2. Arrogante is another short priced favourite but again he appears well placed to win this. Two runs since his all the way Port Macquarie win back in March are sound, he’s the horse with upside and at peak now.

Dangers: 1. Jarhead didn’t do a whole lot when resuming at Kembla but the 1500m is much more his go. Expect he’ll roll forward from the outside and put himself in the race, should be a sharp improver. 3. Manno was a $21 chance when fourth in the same race as Arrogante ran second at Tamworth and he was closing of okay. Well worth including in the main chances. 4. Tiomo was a bit one paced at Coffs Harbour last start, just working home in midfield. Hit the line well here behind Seel The Deel prior to that, just one win from 22 is the concern. Each-way if you like him.

How to play it: Arrogante WIN ($1.90 TAB Fixed Odds); Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Arrogante runs second at Tamworth on July 28

6. Monstrosity wasn’t disgraced after a wide run behind Subedar at his third start and stepping up in trip looks to be right up his alley. He was a $21 chance there but this is an open maiden and his chance to show his best.

Dangers: 8. Joy’s Reward started double figures first-up and worked to the line nicely enough without threatening over 1200m. Drawn a bit better here and the extra distance is a plus. Expect her to be competitive. 2. Majella has found one better in both starts to date, had her chance behind Emeralds at Kembla but the winner was odds-on and she didn’t give up the chase. Must be considered. 1. First Footman is an import first-up off two trials and in his second over 1200m he was on the pace and stayed on under minimal pressure. Market will be interesting, if he’s solid he could go close.

How to play it: Monstrosity E/W ($6.50 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: EVENS.

Monstrosity runs fifth at Kembla Grange on July 25

1. Wayupinthesky is horse with the most scope for improvement and while barrier one at 900m could be sticky for her she’s the one to beat. Solid in a G2 on debut then got the job done on a heavy at Warwick Farm in March. Nice quiet trial, needs a smooth run but hard to tip against.

Dangers: 7. No Doubt Acracker has mixed race form but plenty to like about her two trial wins leading in. Trained locally, drawn well and gets in with 51kg so if she’s going to measure up it’ll be now. 2. Alison Of Tuffy won first-up last preparation and she trialled well behind Appian Way, who won on Tuesday, recently. Ignore her last couple before a spell in Group company and she’s a major player here. 5. Dizzy Miss Lizzy is consistent enough but just one win now from 10 starts is a bit of a worry. Beaten favourite at Goulburn last time but has been top three in six of her 10 so is in the mix.

How to play it: Wayupinthesky WIN ($1.75 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: ODDS.

Wayupinthesky runs third in a Randwick trial on July 30

5. Hit The Rim has just the one trial behind him but it was a good one narrowly downed by Mo’s Crown at Warwick Farm. The plus for him is gate one over the short trip so if he can make use of it he has a big chance to kick off with a win.

Dangers: 6. Peak is a huge watch first-up since his only start at Caulfield back in April where he ran fourth. Two jumpouts at Flemington are his preparation for this and the latest contained the likes of Fundamentalist and Exhilarates. 900m from a wide gate is not ideal but keep very safe. 10. Obscene engaged in a speed battle at Gosford last start and set it up for the winner but still held on okay for third. Worth throwing in. 9. Just Cosmos failed on a heavy track at the Gold Coast before a spell but has looked good in two recent trials particularly the latest. Trained here and worth respecting.

How to play it: Hit The Rim E/W ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Hit The Rim runs second in a Warwick Farm trial on July 26

1. Elusive Nature showed improvement second-up in a closing second at Gosford over a mile with the winner leading all the way. Capable type who could easily go one better here.

Dangers: 2. Renalot is fitter for two runs back and closed off very late to be beaten half a length at Kembla two weekends ago. Doesn’t need to improve a lot to be in the finish of this too. 9. Lady Wahoo finished in the placings at her past three starts and battled on well at Wyong so is worth throwing into the numbers. Consistent type of late so another placing isn’t out of the question. 4. Love Delight was untroubled in a maiden win at Muswellbrook back on July 1. Freshened up and took on open company in her trial recently. Keep in mind.

How to play it: Elusive Nature WIN ($3.60 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Elusive Nature runs second at Gosford on July 27

3. Sethlans contested the same race as the scratched early favourite Rancho Notorious and ran third after being handy all the way. He will be improved and an inside gate means he’ll have every opportunity to win.

Dangers: 12. Living Rocks found the line well in an on pacers race on debut at Canterbury. She was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday for this and 1300m on a bigger track suits. Definite chance. 6. Oxidization showed some promise in her first preparation with a couple of city placings before her form tapered off a bit. Two sharp trials and resumes over a trip that gives her a chance to wind up. Not out of it. 1. Corporal chased home a handy one on debut at this track then disappointed as favourite at Hawkesbury. Trial was okay and betting will be interesting.

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

Sethlans runs third at Warwick Farm on July 31

6. Agosto is the horse to beat but wouldn’t want any shorter price. He was too good first-up in Australia at 1500m, finishing nicely to score with a sharp 11.47 last 200m (Punter's Intelligence), and the extra distance is a huge plus. The negative could be barrier two and that’s the small risk.

Dangers: 9. Succendam is another promising northern hemisphere bred stayer on the way up and his maiden win at Wyong was impressive despite the smallish margin. He’ll love a bigger track and looks a serious danger. 4. He’s Imposing might be a run away from hitting top gear but liked the way he’s been finishing off his races over shorter trips at his last couple. If there’s an upset it could be him. 8. Parry Sound was far too good for Royal Anthem winning at Hawkesbury a couple of weeks ago. Tougher ask here especially from an outside gate but he’s also in possession of some upside. Each-way.

How to play it: Agosto WIN ($2.70 TAB Fixed Odds). Odds & Evens: SPLIT.

Agosto wins first-up at Kembla Grange on July 25

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