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By John Schell

Selections based on a soft track

2. Malbork Castle has hit his straps of late having won his latest two starts in good style. He had a string of placings before scoring those two wins. He’s up in distance for this but shows all the signs that he will handle it. 1. Coto De Caza was down the track against tougher opposition at Rosehill before a solid second at Kembla Grange when last produced. 5. Whisker To Whisker ran well finishing third at Wyong three starts ago and then wasn’t beaten too far despite running last at Warwick Farm. She was safely held in the Winter Cup at Rosehill last time out but will find this much easier. 3. Whetu is a tough stayer at best and could get into the placings from the good draw.

How to play it: Malbork Castle WIN.

6. Cellarmaster is a Bivouac gelding on debut on the back of three barrier trials. He’s had two recent hitouts leading into this and won the latest of them at Canterbury. He’s drawn wide but looks to have the talent to run a bold race. 9. Hillier is resuming from a spell on the back of two trials, and he finished second in the latest at Randwick. He ran second on debut in the Canonbury Stakes and looms as a leading chance. 3. Firework has been placed in two of four starts and has drawn the inside here. 10. Sunburnt Country resumes after two trials and is far from the worst.

How to play it: Cellarmaster EACH WAY.

8. Samarelle is a Savabeel filly having her first start here. She’s had two trials and comes into this after a second in a Canterbury hitout. She’s from a form stable and should take plenty of beating. 6. The Stars has been placed in two of four starts in city grade and can sprint well first-up from a spell. 4. Say Yes is a stablemate of The Stars on debut after a number of trials. 7. Organics can improve on a resuming seventh at Sale.

How to play it: Samarelle EACH WAY.

5. Starry Desert is an Irish import having his first Australian start. He’s been placed in two of four starts and has had two trials in preparation and ran second in the latest of them. 14. Skirmish ran well in two trials before debuting with a fourth on the Kensington track. She can run well with a repeat. 7. Invisible Magic has been placed in all four starts to date and warrants plenty of thought again. 10. Shanoni is yet to be placed from four starts but has shown enough to be rated a minor money hope here.

How to play it: Starry Desert EACH WAY.

12. Turning Circle has been placed in five of 11 starts and has been racing well with a third at Bathurst and a second at Muswellbrook at her latest two runs. She’s up in distance for this and can break through. 13. Zeema hasn’t been too far away in three runs at Kembla Grange since resuming from a spell and can show up here without surprising. 3. Dollars was a beaten favourite at Coffs Harbour when last produced but is worth another chance. 4. North Terrace resumes after two solid trials and can get into the placings.

How to play it: Turning Circle WIN.

4. Cluedo is a former Queenslander that had two trials after joining a new stable before resuming with a dominant win at Taree when racing on the speed and coming clear to score with ease. She looks to have the ability to go on with the job here. 3. Spaceballs is a last start Kembla Grange placegetter that is a city winner and can show up on her best form. 7. Butterfly Style has looked good winning her latest two starts. 2. Lounerse is handy at best and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Cluedo WIN.

3. Cosmic Lad was resuming from a spell when stepping out at Wyong last time out and he hit the line well from back in the field to get up and score in the nick of time. He is a talented performer that can go in with the job. 4. Smoke On The Water did the job well to win with ease at Scone at his latest start and has bright claims again. 2. Cold Brew is a last start Hawkesbury winner that should be thereabouts again, while 5. Carnegie Hill has been racing well and has claims.

How to play it: Cosmic Lad WIN.

4. Expido was resuming from a spell when lining up at Taree and he justified an odds-on quote to score a dominant win. This is tougher but he looks capable of going on with the job. 6. Oakfield Neptune won well on debut at this track and another bold showing is on the cards. 3. The Pacific is resuming and has won a trial leading into this return to racing. 1. The Grey was placed when second-up from a spell. He was down the track last time out but can lift on that in this.

How to play it: Expido WIN.

Best Bets:
Race 6 (4) Cluedo.
Race 7 (3) Cosmic Lad.

Best Value:
Race 4 (5) Starry Desert.

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