Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Newcastle

Trainer Mark Newnham has found an ideal race for a handy staying three-year-old filly to land an well-earned win. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

Racing in New South Wales on Wednesday is at Newcastle.

Daily Telegraph 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 4 No. 11: SILVAKIA

A talented filly from the Mark Newnham stable dropping back from stakes grade to a provincial assignment. Suited by the easier assignment from a favourable gate.

NEXT BEST

Race 6 No. 6: SURF ON TURF

The Tulloch Lodge three-year-old is returning from a break as a gelding. Recent trials indicate he’s ready for a strong showing fresh.

VALUE BEST

Race 7 No. 7: HARLEM GROOVE

Home tracker from the Paul Perry stable that ran on well to place over the same trip at this venue last time. A repeat of that performance should have him going close.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 1, 2, 14

Race 6: 1, 4, 6, 7

Race 7: 2, 7, 9

Race 8: 9, 11, 16

Josh Parr can continue his good form at Newcastle on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Josh Parr has ridden seven winners from his past 27 rides and has a couple of great chances to add to his strong recent tally here.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR NEWCASTLE

RACE 1

Firemark is a first starter by Winning Rupert that has been gelded before his maiden run. The David Atkins-trained three-year-old has had the one trial this time in but looked the part when winning his heat over 910m at Scone. He can make a big impression on his home track on debut. Party Doll returns from a spell with one trial under her belt. She showed plenty of two at the trials and looks suited by the 900m first up assignment. Bubbles For Me gets the winkers applied on debut with a couple of nice trials on her belt.

Verdict: Firemark to win

RACE 2

The Englishman was a beaten favourite at his past three starts before going for a short let up during the heat of the carnival. The Tavistock gelding will likely start top pick again here but is dropping back the provincials after he wasn’t far away in those metro races. He’s rock bottom odds but should be too good for these. Lipscani has placed in his first two runs, sprinting home well enough in both runs. If the pace is on, he will be among the strongest late. Vegas On Fire did enough on debut and should derive plenty of benefit second up.

Verdict: The Englishman to win. Quinella 4, 5

RACE 3

Daddy Frank is unsurprisingly a son of former English champion Frankel lining up for start two. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained galloper hit the line well enough for third on debut over 1400m and should relish the step up to a mile here. Provided he doesn’t cover too much ground from the draw, he should be fighting out the finish. Galactic Legend has been getting back and working home well enough in both starts this preparation. He will have to do the same here from barrier 11 but will keep them honest late. Nyika returns from a 175 day break but has been competitive first up before.

Verdict: Daddy Frank to win

Brett Prebble will partner Daddy Frank at Newcastle. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 4

Silvakia drops back from stakes grade for a considerably easier Benchmark 64. She ran an okay eighth in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) after placings in three consecutive Class 1s before that. She should be at peak fitness now and is drawn to get every chance from barrier five. Youthfull had to sustain a wide run last time but can avoid the same fate from barrier four. She‘s a winner over 1900m before so should relish the step up in trip to 1850m. Allhallowtide is a nice enough type that got a nice confidence boosting win last time.

Verdict: Silvakia to win

RACE 5

Meod was the subject of some early betting support ($13 into $9) and it‘s easy to see why. She looks a filly with some talent and was a winner first up last preparation when she led the field up. She will need to show some early toe again from a tricky draw but will take running down if she gets to the front. Troika has won two of his past three starts including an impressive effort last time on a heavy 8 at Kembla Grange. He will get back and rattle home again. Markwell Dreamer is making a habit of finishing second but rarely runs a bad race.

Verdict: Meod to win

RACE 6

Surf On Turf is first up after having a 28-week spell and looks well placed to return a winner. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper returns a gelding and was on his best behaviour in a pair of nice trials recently. Expect him to go forward and give them something to catch, Surreal Leo has placed in five of his nine starts. He hasn’t been far away in either run this preparation and should settle in a forward position again. Just An Upstart is one of the chances with two runs under his belt with a good gate this time.

Verdict: Surf On Turf to win

Koby Jennings rides Harlem Groove for trainer Paul Perry on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

RACE 7

Harlem Groove is a home tracker that has been racing well without winning this preparation. That can change on home turf at a suitable 1200m trip that he faced last time when running home well for third. A repeat of that display would see him going close again. La Pittrice really attacked the line when winning her maiden at Warwick Farm last start. She needs to make the step up to Benchmark grade but seems a talented type. Former Hong Kong galloper Border Control will be one of the strongest late.

Verdict: Harlem Groove to win

RACE 8

Union Army showed plenty of promise in his debut preparation but returns from a 209-day break having had bone chips removed from his near hind leg. He’s been given a pair of trials to have him ready for his return and a bit of market support suggests he has put the issue behind him. On his best form, he would take beating. Miss Faberge got the maiden out of the way first up before getting too far back last start at Kembla. She can settle closer here and feature in the finish. Toesonthenose only needs to maintain his form to be around the money.

Verdict: Union Army to win. Quinella 9, 11, 16