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By John Schell

Selections based on a heavy track

3. Ballet Encore is an I Am Invincible are on debut. She had a trial earlier in the year and has since had two more recent trials, winning the latest of them at Warwick Farm. She looks to have the ability to make a winning debut. 5. I Am A Winner won two trials before resuming from a spell as a short-priced favourite and missing a place at Kembla Grange. He is worth giving another chance here. 1. Writego is lightly raced with three starts to her name. She ran third at Canterbury when resuming before finishing last at the same track last time out. 2. Yvette was a last start second at Goulburn and has now been in the placings in three of her five starts.

How to play it: Ballet Encore EACH WAY.

9. Almonzo is a colt on debut for trainer Kris Lees and he’s been fitted for this with a number of trials. He ran fifth in the latest hitout at Gosford and is primed for a bold showing. 12. Via Flaminia ran third on debut at this track earlier in the month and looms as a leading chance again. 1. Ridgeback debuted with a second at Kembla Grange and has the advantage of gate one here. 2. What A Gent has had two starts back from a spell and a placing wouldn’t surprise.

How to play it: Almonzo WIN.

12. Magenta Skies is a well-bred filly having her first start. She’s had four trials in total including two recently. She won the latest of them at Randwick and has drawn well in this event. 1. From The Peak has shown talent with two placings from three starts including a last start third at Canterbury. 4. My Proclama ran third on debut on the Acton track at Canberra and she can make an impact here with the benefit of improvement. 2. Onmalone ran second on debut at Wyong in March and is worth plenty of thought after two recent trials.

How to play it: Magenta Skies WIN.

1. Bellenth has a win and three placings from seven starts and resumes from a spell here after two trials having won the latest of them at Gosford. He was a city placegetter at Canterbury back in April. 3. Gandalf won well on debut at Hawkesbury before finishing last at Wyong at his second start. He resumes here after two solid trials. 7. Erina won well on debut at this track earlier in the month and can be thereabouts again. 6. Horizons resumes after contesting stronger races last campaign and can sprint well fresh.

How to play it: Bellenth WIN.

5. Sunday Tycoon raced on the speed when resuming from a spell with a strong Gosford victory. He followed that up with a second at Wyong when doing his best work late. He should get a good run from the ideal draw. 9. Quein Step was placed in her first three starts before breaking her maiden at Goulburn when last produced and another bold showing is on the cards. 3. Elegant Empress was a winner over this distance here before a last start midfield effort at Warwick Farm. 1. Zoe Shark led to score at Taree when last produced and can give cheek.

How to play it: Sunday Tycoon EACH WAY.

11. Balmain Darling debuted at this track with a strong finishing win when she hit the line well late. She shows enough potential to go right on with the job in this. 2. Zoubeauty led when resuming with a second at Muswellbrook after leading and can give plenty of cheek again. 4. Speck ran fifth in the same race Zoubeauty contested last time out and can show up, while 6. Miss Trentino is a last start Acton track winner at Canberra and is not out of this.

How to play it: Balmain Darling WIN.

1. Golden Century was competitive in the Tulloch Stakes and ATC Australian Derby in the autumn and resumed for the Waller stable at Hawkesbury last time out when finishing third as favourite. He’s drawn wide here but should be hitting the line hard. 3. Penalties has finished second in each of his latest three starts and can be thereabouts again. 5. The Big Blue has been placed in both runs since resuming and warrants thought, while 12. Shanoni is a last start Canterbury placegetter that has claims.

How to play it: Golden Century WIN.

7. Ballinderry Sal was a Highway winner at Randwick back in April and has had three runs since then, finishing fourth in the latest two at Scone and this track. She’s a handy mare on her best form and has solid wet track form. 6. Surreal I Am followed a Sunshine Coast Polytrack win with a second at Gosford and then finished midfield here last time out. He should give a bold sight again. 5. Brok Café resumed from a spell with a last placing at this track last month. She’s since finished second in a trial at Scone and can improve. 9. Cluedo has disappointed in two runs since winning at Taree but can lift on those efforts here.

How to play it: Ballinderry Sal EACH WAY.

Best Bets:
Race 3 (12) Magenta Skies.
Race 6 (11) Balmain Darling.

Best Value:
Race 8 (7) Ballinderry Sal.

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