Race-by-race tips and previews for Newcastle on Friday

Track Good 4 and rail True

RACE 1
8. Knowing Look is a filly by Justify in the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable who hasn’t started since a flat debut at Warwick Farm early last winter. Given plenty of time before two recent city trials, draws to get an economical run, and significantly blinkers go on. 7. In Circles chased hard on debut at Hawkesbury, and will relish the extra furlong. 1. Borjnord is by Tassort in the Richard and Will Freedman stable, and a big market watch on debut behind two improving trials. Similar story aboard 4. Odin’s Eye, by Exceedance, who starts his career off three trials wearing winkers for the Hawkes yard, and is drawn to get a sound run. Gap to the rest.
How to play it: Knowing Look to win

RACE 2
1. Anthropoid is a provincial-based colt with ability, returning for a second preparation behind two metropolitan trials. More than held his own in two runs among smart black type opposition in spring, and reportedly has been working well. Drawn to get the right trail and blinkers go on. 3. Raise The Bar is a big market watch on debut for the Ciaron Maher stable having won the second of two competitive trials. 5. Somethings Burnin’ debuts for the Chris Waller yard behind an easy trial. Include both 2. Gold Globe second-up off a freshening, and 9. Machrihanish who improves into her third start; in trifecta and first four plays.
How to play it: Anthropoid to win

RACE 3
No runner is banging on the door more for a breakthrough win than tough mare 5. Rach who can finally win fourth-up at her 12th start. Beaten a whisker when resuming off a lengthy break at Canterbury before again narrowly missing out going back to the provincials. Ran home fairly at Canterbury behind a smart winner last time, and a bit more ground now is timely. 1. The Big Blue can run a race fresh for a leading city stable off two quiet trials, and over a suitable trip. Has only missed a place once from seven starts. 3. Mister Martini emerges over the odds second-up; while both 2. Feazabeel third-up and 7. Peace At Last with a gear change can both run into the minor money.
How to play it: Rach to win

RACE 4
3. All Star is a tough and improving colt ready to win fourth-up in his first extended preparation. Has run home into the money in three outings this campaign, the latest here when making up good ground in a BM 64 with plenty of depth. Drawn to get a softer run this time with cover, and blinkers importantly are back on. 5. Barrengarry is lightly raced and a big threat second-up from the inside gate after running home well fresh at Kembla. 11. Cool Summer Nights is value, second-up for a shrewd home stable. 10. She’s A Dame is also working towards a breakthrough win after placing in two runs back from a break, and will likely be ridden a little quieter this time with blinkers off. 2. Purple Haze has kept improving in three runs back from a spell against country opposition. 4. Almonzo is trained on the course, and can peak third-up with blinkers added.
How to play it: All Star to win

RACE 5
6. Golden Smile is trained on the track and progressive enough well into the campaign in what is a tricky and open staying affair. Careered away to thrash a weaker class two starts ago before tracking the speed all the way at Hawkesbury. First time out to this distance, but is bred to run it right out. 4. Lugarno is honest enough deep into the preparation, but under the odds. 5. Mediaro has been mixing his form in deeper races, and will relish first time back to provincial level since late last year. 3. Monty Be Quick comes off that upset win over the top selection, and must be over the odds. 8. Winning Point can improve sharply after a very disappointing effort from outside the leader in the Canberra Cup Prelude.
How to play it: Golden Smile to win

RACE 6
3. Spaceballs can maintain the local momentum, and go back-to-back in another race with many chances. Let down strongly from near the back to claim a fillies and mares’ BM 64 at Hawkesbury 15 days ago in what is shaping as a handy form reference. 6. Unreachable is well placed at good odds second-up over a bit further a month between runs. 4. Totoka draws wide, but she gets a handy drop in grade third-up. 1. Titanium Miss, with a real fitness edge, and progressive 5. Show Business second-up from a softer draw; are both each-way knockout chances.
How to play it: Spaceballs to win

RACE 7
4. Just Feelin’ Lucky is a tough metropolitan mare who represents big value. Knocked up chasing home a dominant group 3 winner when having her first run since mid October. Has a 50 per cent strike rate from four second-up runs, and drawn to get a nice trail just off the speed. 1. Coal Crusher is as tough as they come from on speed, and drawn to dictate. Has never missed a place at this track from six starts, including three wins. 2. Weewal reloads a month after running home hard in a Hobart feature at weight-for-age, but he may go to Sunday’s National Sprint in Canberra. Similarly, 5. Magnatear is a dual acceptor with Canberra, and draws wide here. Rarely runs a bad one from in and around the speed, and stuck on for a long way at Rosehill last time. 7. Green Fly has never raced better for a seven-year-old. Worked home late in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Rosehill before crossing the border and zooming home to win an Open Hcp at Eagle Farm under a big weight. Drops to the limit 54kg here, but another one also accepted for Canberra on Sunday. 9. Tuileries and 10. Hellsing head the rest.
How to play it: Just Feelin’ Lucky to win