Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Newcastle, Dubbo

A Michael Freedman-trained colt can follow a solid first-up run with a win at Newcastle. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Trainer Michael Freedman has found an ideal race at Newcastle for Wymark to breakthrough. Picture: Getty Images

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Newcastle.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

NEWCASTLE

BEST BET

Race 2 No.6: WYMARK

The smart colt from the Michael Freedman stable is having his second start. Step up to 1300m looks ideal for him.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.7: IRON MAN

Showed plenty of promise with a second at his only start last prep. Has trialled well in the lead up to his return.

VALUE BEST

Race 5 No.5: LASQUETI BOOM

Half sister to an Oaks winner, she will appreciate the step up to 1400m here.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1,2,3,5,8

Race 6: 4,6,7,12

Race 7: 3,8,9,11

Race 8: 7,11,13

Tim Clark looks set for a good day in the saddle at Newcastle. Picture: AAP Image

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Tim Clark is sitting in the top five in the Sydney metropolitan premiership. Clark can bring his good form to Newcastle.

DUBBO

BEST BET

Race 7 No.5: MELODY AGAIN

Won with a bit of style on debut last prep and can back it up first up from a break.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No.7: STARLINK

Raced without luck fresh from a spell, she can return to the winner’s list second up.

VALUE BEST

Race 3 No.2: CAREER CHANGE

A winner twice at this track and trip, she can bounce back to her best at a happy hunting ground.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR NEWCASTLE

RACE 1

Frankie’s Me Dad is an Australian Oaks nominated filly that showed what she can do out to a staying trip last time. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained three-year-old was a comfortable winner over 2100m here and should relish the slightly extra trip this time. She’s the one to beat. Don Quixote is a consistent son of Pierro that has missed the placings just once in six starts. He got his maiden out of the way here in January and has finished third in both runs since. Magic Pharoah can be the big improver up over a staying trip at just her third start.

Bet: Frankie’s Me Dad to win.

RACE 2

Wymark was nominated for a stakes race last week before Michael Freedman elected to pursue an easier assignment. That’s not to say the colt won’t end up one sometime soon. He’s got talent and comes into his second start having raced without luck when third at Canterbury on debut. The 1300m assignment looks very suitable. The Blue Army has a typically strong hand with last start city winners Tom Kitten and Inhibitions both set to take plenty of beating. Autunno is better than what he showed in a last start disappointment at Kembla.

Bet: Wymark to win. Trifecta 1,2,6,7

RACE 3

Piccadilly Lass’ record of two placings from eight starts might not look like much but she’s coming off a strong effort last start. The Kim Waugh-trained mare ran on from back in the pack to finish second over the same trip at Wyong. Higher Hand was third in the same event after leading the field up. The golden draw in barrier one should give her every chance of taking up the initiative again and giving them something to catch. Our Frankie hasn’t been far away in recent starts and finds a maiden with not a lot of depth.

Bet: Piccadilly Lass, Higher Hand quinella.

Rachel King rides Iron Man for trainer Edward O’Rourke. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

This Iron Man may not be a superhero but reckon he will win plenty of races. The Edward O’Rourke-trained galloper returns from a 156 day break after running an excellent second at his only start in town last year. Strong recent trials and a good draw both point to another big showing when he makes his return. Pereille has become the bookies best pal. He’s been a beaten favourite at all five of his starts, including twice at odds-on this time. There is no doubt he has talent but he’s yet to turn it into success. A maiden win shouldn’t be far away for Deep Fury but he could find it hard against the top two.

Bet: Iron Man to win.

RACE 5

Lasqueti Boom is a half-sister to former VRC Oaks winner Lasqueti Spirit, also trained by Team Curtis, and she looks destined to follow on a similar staying path. The 1200m first-up was short of her best but she was doing her best work late. Keen to stay with her over 1400m and beyond. Gago was scratched from Warwick Farm on Wednesday to head here. Placed at his first two starts, the lightly-raced galloper struggled around Canterbury last time but can bounce back. Fall For Cindy is highly promising. A strong first-up showing from her wouldn’t surprise.

Bet: Lasqueti Boom to win.

RACE 6

Rockbarton Roman returns from a 279-day holiday. The Rubick gelding showed plenty of potential early in his racing career to chalk up a win and four placings in nine starts. His trials indicate he’s ready to produce a pretty forward effort in his return. Catapult loves his visits to Newcastle. He’s never missed the placings in four runs here and his best is capable of ensuring that continues. Wealthofknowledge should be ready to peak third-up from a break after a couple of okay runs.

Bet: Rockbarton Roman each way.

Cross Talk looks hard to beat in the Newcastle Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Cross Talk doesn’t know how to run a bad race, missing the placings once in 11 starts. He caught the eye first-up from a break when leading the field up but puncturing late to finish second over 1400m at Randwick. Sticking at the same trip, down 4.5kg and with a good draw, he is going to take a power of beating in the feature. Kiss Sum raced without luck first-up from a break. He had to settle last in the run but can settle closer from the draw and keep the favourite honest late. Cuban Royale is an old marvel. He may be eight but he continues to race as well as ever.

Bet: Cross Talk to win.

RACE 8

Hawkes Racing have two of the main chances but the draw makes Shohei the one to beat. The Mikki Isle mare returns from a break from barrier four and has put her best foot forward fresh in the past. She can kick off on a winning note. Stablemate Sir Ming highlighted his ability in just two starts in his debut prep. He’s back from a break too but has the tricky barrier 12 to contend with. Mistress won her only start at this venue back in October. The More Than Ready filly is capable enough however she’s also got the wide gate.

Bet: Shohei to win.