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Newcastle will host this week’s headline midweek program in New South Wales and eight races will be contested.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
A generally fine week in the Newcastle area has led to the track being rated in the Good (4) range, while the rail will be set out six metres around the entire course.
Check out my thoughts on every race and Newcastle tips below.
Race 1 - 1:25pm: Class 1 Handicap (1850m)
Hardpoint takes winning form into this contest and can continue his rise through the grades.
The Raise The Flag gelding has only made two appearances at the races so far, but worked home fairly to fill the minors on debut at Kembla Grange last month before breaking his maiden at Wyong.
Fitter third-up and further out in trip, something like this looks the next logical target.
2 Units Hardpoint
Race 2 - 2pm: Allied The Careful Movers 2YO Maiden Plate (900m)
There is no exposed form to study ahead of Race 2 at Newcastle this week as everything is on debut.
That being said, Offenbach trialled very well and can make a winning debut.
A colt by Snitzel, Offenbach finished second in a pair of Warwick Farm trials and looks forward enough to win.
1 Unit Offenbach
Race 3 - 2:35pm: Daily Damily Funerals 3YO&Up Maiden Handicap (900m)
Another race that features debutants including Overtook, who I have put on top.
Trainer by Chris Waller, Overtook is a filly by Deep Field, and who has trialled well in the lead-up to Wednesday's debut.
She's drawn ideally under Tomm Berry.
1 Unit Overtook
Race 4 - 3:10pm: The Adviser Collective Midway Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
Prince Of Sorts has raced consistently since debuting and looks a great chance to win again on Wednesday.
The Tassort gelding went for a short break after winning over 1100m at Dubbo in August and returned to action to finish third, beaten a length in Class 2 company.
Having only just been denied over 1200m at Wyong last time out, the rise in trip to 1400m looks suitable at this point of his prep, while he boasts a fitness edge over several key rivals this time.
2 Units Prince Of Sorts
Race 5 - 3:45pm: Davali Thoroughbreds BM68 Handicap (2300m)
I thought that this looked a lovely race for the third-up Hiawatha.
Hiawatha returned to action with a fine performance to finish second in Class 2 company down at Kembla Grange, while he was last seen finishing a credible fifth in a stronger Saturday race at Rosehill Gardens.
With further improvement and getting back to the midweeks, he gets a lot of ticks.
3 Units Hiawatha
Race 6 - 4:20pm: Red Funnel Food Distributors Provincial Maiden Plate (1300m)
Star Of Paris is yet to turn in a poor effort and looks ready to break her maiden this week at Newcastle.
The Magna Grecia filly showed ability at the trials prior to debuting and couldn't have done a lot more without winning here at her first career starts.
She backed that up with another decent effort to fill the minors at Hawkesbury last time out and a maiden win appears imminent.
3 Units Star Of Paris
Race 7 - 4:55pm: Rarity Wholesale BM64 Handicap (1250m)
A great race for the resuming Art Volante.
Art Volante went to the paddock after consecutive fourth placings in strong Saturday metro company, and her fresh form last time in was outstanding; including consecutive victories first and second up.
She's had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead-up to this race and she can use it as a springboard into something bigger and better.
4 Units Art Volante
Race 8 - 5:30pm: The Prince Of Merewether Maiden Plate (1500m)
Great White Shark is third up and gets a genuine chance to break his maiden in the last at Newcastle this week.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding has always hinted at ability and raced well around some decent types during his debut prep earlier this year.
Having returned to action to finish midfield behind subsequent Group 1 winner El Castello at Warwick Farm, he was last seen filling the minors in a maiden at Rosehill in October, and I like that he has been kept up to the mark with a trial ahead of this easier assignment.
2 Units Great White Shark
