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By John Schell

The track is rated a Good 4 with the rail out 11m the entire circumference. The forecast is for a partly cloudy raceday with a top of 27 degrees.

1. UNCLE BARRY ($6 on TAB) is yet to win from 10 starts but has been placed in five of them. He finished third at Kembla Grange two starts ago and followed that up with a last start fourth at Gundagai. He’s drawn awkwardly in this but has the talent to break through. 2. Doralee ($2.90) has been placed in four of seven starts and has finished second in each of her latest two starts at Gosford and Kembla Grange either side of a spell. This looks to be a suitable assignment for her. 5. Like A Surgeon ($10) is a five-year-old mare on debut for trainer Brad Widdup and has been fitted for this with some solid trials. 7. Precious Girl ($2.80 favourite) has finished second in all three runs since resuming and should give a bold sight again.

How to play it: Uncle Barry WIN

1. BLUEBIRD BAY ($3.10) was behind the placings in his first three starts since resuming from a spell and then ran a better race when a last start second at Scone when he raced on the speed and battled on well. He can show up here with a repeat of that effort. 2. Doradus ($5.50) performed well when a last start second at Kembla Grange and the step up in distance should suit. 5. Hardpoint ($2.10 fav) has been placed in two of three starts since resuming and gets another chance to show up in this grade. 6. Ohtani ($10) was placed at Hawkesbury two starts ago and has place claims again on that effort.

How to play it: Bluebird Bay WIN

14. CONTEMPLATES ($7) had two starts earlier in the year and finished third in both of them at Wyong and Gosford. She resumes here on the back of two trials and won the latest of them at Rosehill. She looks set to sprint well fresh in this. 7. The Confidante ($11) is on debut and ran second to Contemplates in his latest trial. Expect a bold showing. 13. Explicit ($5.50 fav) finished third at Kembla Grange at his third race start back in May and resumes here after two recent trials. 10. Tinklejazz ($5 equal fav) is also on debut and performed well in her latest trial at Warwick Farm.

How to play it: Contemplates EACH-WAY

1. MATIAS ($1.55 fav) has had two runs back from a spell and has performed very well in each of them having finished second at Rosehill behind Long Legs and then second at Canterbury behind John Dory. That form looks good for a race like this, and he is poised to break through with a maiden victory. 3. Sponars ($3.60) was placed in his first two starts since resuming and has since been midfield in two Kembla Grange starts. He is worth another chance. 2. Naughton’s Bar ($9) is on debut after a number of trials and a forward showing would not surprise. 11. Entrapment ($11) was placed at Kembla Grange at her second start and can get into the minor money again here.

How to play it: Matias WIN

2. GOLDEN LOOM ($8) has run well in his latest two starts having followed a second at this track with a last start third at Kembla Grange when running home well enough. He is worth another chance here in what is an open race. 3. Meet Me In Bondi ($4.80) was first-up from a spell when a last start fourth at Kembla Grange and should have derived benefit from that effort. 4. Navy Buoy ($5) resumed from a spell with an Armidale win and is worth thought again. 7. Micro Magic ($9.50) has been racing well with a second at this track being followed by a Kembla Grange win and is worth thought again.

How to play it: Golden Loom EACH-WAY

2. TENBURY WELLS ($4.20) took on the top class three-year-old races in the autumn before being spelled. He disappointed in two Randwick runs in September and returns from another break here having finished sixth in a recent trial at Hawkesbury. Expect him to be primed for a bold first-up showing. 4. Bold And Blazen ($4 fav) has been racing well having scored strong on pace wins at Gosford and Wyong at his past two starts. He can give plenty of cheek again. 6. Tact ($8.50) resumes from a spell here on the back of two trials and should be primed to perform well fresh. 8. Smart Serenade ($6.50) has been placed in two runs at Muswellbrook and Hawkesbury since scoring at Taree and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

How to play it: Tenbury Wells WIN

2. KENMARE BAY ($5) is resuming from a spell here for trainers John O’Shea & Tom Charlton and has been placed fresh. He won at Canterbury three starts ago and was a last start fourth at Canterbury in July. He’s had two trials to prepare for this return to racing. 5. Chica Del Mar ($4) followed a second at Scone with a last start Armidale victory and has claims again on that effort. 6. Dealt ($9.50) was a winner at Goulburn in June and was spelled following a third at Warwick Farm. He has the talent to make an impact. 3. Swift Charm ($7) hit the line well to win the Kempsey Cup and can show up again.

How to play it: Kenmare Bay EACH-WAY

BEST BETS
RACE 4 - 1. MATIAS ($1.55 favourite on TAB)
RACE 6 - 2. TENBURY WELLS ($4.20)

BEST VALUE
RACE 3 - 14. CONTEMPLATES ($7)

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here