Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Newcastle

A talented gelding from the Matthew Dunn stable can continue his near faultless form this campaign and notch another victory. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL

The Daily Telegraph’s Racing Editor Ray Thomas is confident of ending the day on a high note with an in-form five-year-old to prove superior.

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 7, No.4: SOAMI

Soami has never been in better form, winning twice from three attempts this campaign including his impressive last start win at Kensington. With topweight Rustic Steel likely to miss this race, the Matthew Dunn-trained Soami is clearly the one to beat.

NEXT BEST

Race 3, No.1: ROYAL BANQUET

Royal Banquet has been unplaced in three runs back this campaign, his finishing speed dulled by the heavy tracks. He will appreciate getting back to a good surface on his home track and is ready to win.

VALUE BET

Race 2, No.8: CHATEAUX PARK

Chateaux Park has been luckless in successive provincial class 1 starts, finishing fast for second at Hawkesbury then third at Gosford. This is tougher but the big track at Newcastle and the 1850m trip are ideal.

QUADDIE

Race 4: 6,8,12

Race 5: 1,2,6,10

Race 6: 3,5,8,12

Race 7: 1,4,5

Champion trainer Chris Waller saddles up a number of leading chances at Newcastle on Wednesday. Picture: Grant Guy

TRAINER TO FOLLOW

Chris Waller has a typically strong team for this city midweek meeting at Newcastle including favourites Toomuchtobear (race 4) and Selburose (race 5).

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

Alysha Collett, who has begun the new season in brilliant form and leads the state premiership with six wins, has a full book of rides at Newcastle including Travelling Kate (race 4), Windsweep (race 5) and Stoical (race 6).

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR NEWCASTLE

RACE 1

Publicist created a good impression on debut, racing on speed, forging to the front in the straight then fighting back hard when challenged by the promising Brigantine before going under narrowly at Kensington. There is some depth in this field but Publicist does look the one to beat if he can repeat his first-up effort. Trainer John Thompson has two emerging fillies by Maurice, Mikasa and Taizai who came from well back to fill the minor placings behind Starman at Kensington last start. Satirical Glory could be the value runner. He was cruising in a recent barrier trial and first-up at 1300m is no issue.

Bet: Publicist to win, Box trifecta 2,6,12,13

RACE 2

Chateaux Park appeals at each way odds. He has managed only one win in 14 starts but his form this campaign has been encouraging. He charged home to just miss at Hawkesbury second-up then was held up at a vital stage before storming home to finish third at Gosford. The big track at Newcastle and the 1850m will be ideal for Chateaux Park – this is his chance. Mother’s Mercy is a tough mare who carries weight well. She will find this grade easier than her competitive last start fourth to So Wicked at Randwick. Zudin didn’t have the best of luck at Kembla when he finished the closest of thirds. He’s improving with racing and suited by the extra distance. Veteran All But Gone is racing well.

Bet: Chateaux Park each way, Quinella 1,8

Brodie Loy will ride Chateaux Park for trainer Jason Coyle. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 3

Royal Banquet has been hampered by wet tracks in three unplaced runs this winter but will enjoy getting back to a firm track here. This race should be run at a solid tempo which suits Royal Banquet as he tends to settle back in his races. Dinado was doing his best work on the line when seventh at Kensington first-up and although he probably needs it a little longer, he will be fitter. Big Surprise likes to lead and dominate and is in career-best form. Majella worked home nicely to finish just behind the placegetters at Kensington when resuming and should be very competitive.

Bet: Royal Banquet to win

RACE 4

Sammy ran a blinder first-up when he finished powerfully for second to Windsweep at Gosford. Sammy was held up for a run coming into the straight then weaved through the ruck in an eye-catching return. Fitter now and will appreciate the 1500m on his home track. Cat D’Oro comes off a luckless third in a Wyong maiden when he couldn’t get clear galloping room at any stage in the straight. Eligible for easier races but with any luck in running he will be right in the finish. Under-rated Travelling Kate came from last on the turn to finish a very good second at Kembla and suited by this course and distance. Linguee is an emerging mare coming off a determined Taree win.

Bet: Sammy to win, saver on Cat D’Oro

RACE 5

Exotic Ruby was in behind runners coming into the straight and had to wait a few strides to get clear galloping room under her big weight when she was out-sprinted by Centimental at Kensington. The consistent Exotic Ruby is bursting to win a race and from the favourable draw gets her chance here. Tight Ropes comes off a runaway win at Canterbury in heavy going. She has to run up to that effort on a good surface but drawn to get control in front and is over the odds. Eye See Things doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Selburose gives herself every chance by racing on speed and is working up to a win.

Bet: Exotic Ruby to win, Box trifecta 1,2,6,10

From a good draw, Exotic Ruby can break through for a well-deserved win. Picture: Grant Guy

RACE 6

Miss Dior is a specialist short-course sprinter well placed in this 900m dash. She has run competitive races in her two runs back, finishing second and fourth in successive Randwick 1000m Saturday sprints. Miss Dior drops back to midweek grade and should go close. Remlaps Gem is very fast and will be hard to run down. Stoical has drawn awkwardly but he’s very fit and racing in top form. Brazenpine needs a firm surface and fast tempo and he gets both in this race.

Bet: Miss Dior to win

RACE 7

Soami is in career-best form. He overcame a wide run to win at Kembla first-up, was very unlucky when a fast finishing second at Canterbury then scored with authority at Kensington. Drawn to get the right run and the 3kg claim of apprentice Reece Jones brings the sprinter in well at the weights. Rustic Steel was impressive first-up at Kensington but has drawn wide and is a doubtful runner. Conceited hasn’t lived up to the promise he showed earlier in his career but his trials leading into his return have been encouraging. Head Of State is a promising colt who did win easily when resuming at Warwick Farm last preparation and must be considered. A Magic Zariz and Miss Fox have claims.

Bet: Soami to win, saver on Head Of State

Originally published as Raceday focus: Best bets, inside mail for Newcastle