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By Neil Evans

Track improving to around Soft 5, with the rail out 2m from 800m to 400m, then True the Remainder so should play fairly even

Progressive 5YO Rosehill gelding 1. Agosto looks an absolute good thing after winning his maiden at Kembla as a heavily backed favourite, and then having little or no luck charging home in a BM 64 at Newcastle, and extra trip ideal.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO gelding 5. The Borough has shown good improvement over three runs in his first prep, and finished off strong at big odds behind a good one last start, and also better suited up in distance.

How to play it: Quinella 1 and 5. Odds and Evens (First 2): Odds.

Well-bred 3YO Newcastle colt 2. Animate is primed to break through at his second start after charging home late on debut at Taree when heavily backed. Was scratched from the main track on Tuesday.

Dangers: Warwick Farm 4YO gelding 1. Is That So battled on okay after leading first-up on the Canberra synthetic, and generally raced in deep maiden company in the autumn. Expect improvement from 3YO Rosehill colt 3. Ashton Blair who was just even to the line on debut at Kembla; while resuming Newcastle 3YO 4. Chasing Comets returns as gelding and can be included in wider exotics.

How to play it: Animate to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Animate runs second at Taree on August 16

Much more open affair here, with plenty of chances. Newcastle 4YO mare 5. Moana Marie can hit back down in weight and from a good draw after two fairly disappointing runs back when hard in the market.

Dangers: Progressive 4YO Wyong mare 7. Belle De Vega came back in trip for a dominant BM 66 win at Muswellbrook. Consistently around the money all prep for form stable, and can work into the finish again from a good gate. Newcastle 4YO gelding 4. Heredero can break through third-up also dropping in weight. Has finished off stoutly from midfield in both runs back, and from 12 career starts has only missed a place four times. Wyong 4YO gelding 2. Oakfield Target has been up for a while, yet wasn't beaten far last start at Newcastle in a Class 2 after sitting up on the speed, and draws a better gate here. Gosford 4YO mare 9. Lightning Ally carted a big weight to win second-up in a weaker race at Taree, and is still improving. Draws to get a lovely run either leading or parked right behind the speed; while 5YO Pt Macquarie gelding 8. The Kroc has been given a near three month freshen-up for this shorter trip after a fair closing run in the Wauchope Cup.

How to play it: Moana Marie each way and first four 4,5,7/4,5,7/2,4,5,7,8,9/2,4,5,7,8,9. Odds and Evens: Split.

Wide open and tough contest for the girls. Gosford 4YO mare 2. Midnite Saga was a little plain on debut at Taree when well fancied in the market, but draws the fence, and stable is adept at second-up strikes.

Dangers: Up in distance third-up, 4YO Warwick Farm mare 1. Princess Siri tackles a nice race from a good barrier, but up sharply in weight, although autumn form suggests she has a little class edge. Warwick Farm debutant 3YO filly 6. Magnificently (Swiss Ace x Wonderworld by More Than ready) has trialled strongly, and was scratched from the main track on Tuesday, but draws a horror gate. Expecting big improvement up in trip at second start from 4YO Warwick Farm mare 3. Cherry Pie; while 4YO Newcastle mare 9. Mary Magpie is still trying to break through after 12 starts, but has hit the line strong in her last couple, and down in weight should get the chance to finish off again.

How to play it: Midnite Saga each way and trifecta 1,2,6/1,2,3,6,9. Odds and Evens: Split.

Tempo and tactics will play a key role here, but Newcastle 4YO gelding and ex-Kiwi 1. Wounded Soldier looks the stand-out despite carting a big weight. Was heavily backed on Australian debut at Taree flooding home to just miss in a competitive Class 1, and with that experience and a lovely barrier to provide plenty of cover back in the field, he can power off the top.

Dangers: Stablemate 4YO gelding 2. Magic Charlee resumes off a six month break, but normally comes to hand fairly quickly, and trialled okay. Pt Macquarie 5YO gelding 7. Shoreditch looks to have something to offer after finishing hard first-up at home, and has solid enough form up to the mile; while stablemate 5YO gelding 9. Dew Drop finished just in front of Shoreditch at fourth run back, and draws an economical barrier. Muswellbrook 6YO gelding 4. Two Ducks Artie doesn't win often, but he comes back from two solid efforts in BM 66 grade, although will have a job slotting in from a very wide barrier.

How to play it: Wounded Soldier to win. Odds and Evens: Split.

Wounded Soldier runs second at Taree on August 18

Intriguing maiden. Warwick Farm 4YO mare 2. Fight For Love resumes after debuting last spring on the Kensington track in good maiden company, and then a one-off run at Gosford in May before being spelled. Looks ready to go off a strong trial win when showed good cruising speed early, and then acceleration when challenged late in the straight.

Dangers: Newcastle 3YO filly 6. Sending Love made a nice debut at Taree closing off to miss by a head, and should naturally improve. Gosford 4YO gelding 1. Head Spins (Dream Ahead x Spinalong by Exceed And Excel) won a recent trial on this track, and draws a nice trailing gate for his debut. Warwick Farm 3YO filly and first starter 7. Confinement (Star Witness x Encapsulate by Encosta De Lago) has looked to have something in hand in two nice trials and debuts in blinkers, and stable has a great reputation with the new ones.

How to play it: Fight For Love to win and box trifecta 1,2,6,7. Odds and Evens: Split.

A modest closer means 3YO Wyong filly 9. Royal Eclipse just needs to slot in from a wide gate to be the one to beat. Has chased home two smart sprinters in both runs back, and is ready to win again third-up.

Dangers: Progressive 3YO Muswellbrook gelding 7. Chargement landed some good bets first-up at Tamworth, and can take the next step. Newcastle 3YO filly 12. Frozen In Time was no match for a smart one second-up at Muswellbrook, but looks well enough in this race; while another Muswellbrook gelding 3. Poor Corner did his best work late second-up at home, and extra journey a plus.

How to play it: Royal Eclipse to win. Odds and Evens: Odds.

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