Mitch Cohen's race-by-race tips and inside mail for Newcastle on Thursday
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NEWCASTLE TIPS
BEST BET
Race 7 No.2 INNCOURT: Promising Irish import back from a short freshen-up. He can back-up his strong Wyong win during the winter.
NEXT BEST
Race 4 No.4 ZOUNAKA: Consistent mare that wasn't far away in stakes grade in her last start back in March. She has trialled up well and can run well fresh.
VALUE BEST
Race 6 No.2 THUNDERING SOUL: Did more than enough first-up when working home nicely from the back at Gosford. He will be hitting the line strongly again stepping up in trip.
QUADDIE
Race 5: 3, 5, 8
Race 6: 2, 3, 4, 5
Race 7: 2, 3, 4
Race 8: 4, 5, 7, 8
TRAINER TO FOLLOW
Leading trainer Kris Lees has had 427 winners on his home course and has five chances to add to that tally despite promising filly Cantiamo lining up 24 hours earlier in Sydney.
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
Apprentice Braith Nock rode more NSW winners than any other rider not named Aaron Bullock last season and looks set for big day with several hopes, including Faye Runaway and Quein Step.
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NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL
RACE 1: Class 1 Plate (1880m)
FAYE RUNAWAY (7) was scratched from the second event to step out over more ground over 1880m in the opener. Her record of two placings from 11 starts doesn't read like much but she is coming off a career best performance after flashing home for second over the Kembla Grange mile last time. She finds a winnable race here. STORM PARK (2) is building to a peak performance after laying the groundwork over shorter trips this prep. Third-up now is a winnable race, he gets is chance. HIPPY DREAMS (3) should be another significant improver up in ground.
VERDICT: FAYE RUNAWAY (7) to win.
BRUT NATURE (2) is an interesting debutant having his first start as a four-year-old. The son of Brutal has only been seen at the trials twice and looked the part in both, handling wet conditions too. Some early market support suggest he could be ready to make an eye-catching debut. DOLLARS (3) has had chances with placings in four of his eight starts. A narrow defeat over a mile at Warwick Farm last time reads well for this. Up to a mile second-up should boost RIDGEBACK (1) 's claims.
VERDICT: BRUT NATURE (2) to win.
Trainer Brad Widdup has kept his options open for SAVVY HALLIE (10) 's return but if she lines up here, she likely wins. The daughter of Hellbent boasts some serious form during her juvenile season with runner-up finishes in both the Group 3 Bailleau and Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes. She can knock off her maiden pretty fast, albeit at rock bottom odds. RUINATION (4) is a blueblood son of Wootton Bassett out of Group 1 winner Daysee Doom that has trialled up well ahead of his debut. DIETRICH (7) only tired late on debut so should strip fitter second-up.
VERDICT: SAVVY HALLIE (10) to win, trifecta 10 (standout) from 2, 4,7.
ZOUNAKA (4) makes her return from a 22-week spell after showing some promise last preparation. She was a winner first-up last time before her consistency was rewarded later in the prep with a crack at the Listed Canberra Guineas where she wasn't disgraced. The heavy track is the question mark but she's worth the risk. WAL'S ME MATE (2) got a nice confidence boosting victory last time at Wyong. He'll take plenty of benefit from that and handles the ground. BEAU BANDIT (5), a winner this track and trip in April, is a knockout hope.
VERDICT: ZOUNAKA (4) to win, BEAU BANDIT (5) to place.
IN AND OUT (3) races in the same green, pink and black colours of his talented stablemate Democracy Manifest. Trainer Chris Waller has taken his time with him but he showed a glimpse of his ability when second at this track on debut in January. He's had a couple of quiet trials and could surprise in an even race. FLORAL LEGEND (5) has trialled up nicely for new trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. Expect him to be poised to pounce from the good draw. THE STARS (8) will appreciate the drop back to the provincials after being caught wide last start.
VERDICT: IN AND OUT (3) each way.
THUNDERING SOUL (2) finds himself in one of the most competitive races on the card but looks ready to run a bold race second-up. The home tracker got a mile back over 1100m at Gosford in his return and while he likely gets back here again, he should appreciate the step up to 1250m. Will Stanley's 2kg claim helps his cause. FRONTEX (4) has untapped potential and must be included in all multiples. He was far off the unbeaten Amreekiyah last prep – that's top form for this. BURJ (5) deserves respect with a consistent career to date of two wins, two seconds from six starts.
VERDICT: THUNDERING SOUL (2) each-way, saver FRONTEX (4).
INNCOURT (2) is a promising Irish-bred import that has so far only been restricted to one Australian start. That came in June at Wyong and the Matt Smith-trained galloper was very impressive, surging home to win over 1200m. He's had a freshen up and tick over trial since. Tipping he will get through his grades quickly. CINSAULT (3) took nine starts to break her maiden but did so stylishly with a 3-1/2 length success over 1300m at Kembla last time. She's in contention again. HOMERIC (4) will likely get back from the draw and be one of the strongest late.
SPANDEX (8) is a home tracker chasing a winning hat-trick. The Scott Aspery-trained gelding has won his past two in the bush, including a tough all the way victory over a mile at Scone last time. Rock hard fit from a good draw, he can run well again. MIZELLA (4) has done some of her best racing at Newcastle with two of her three wins coming at the track. She will find this easier than recent Midway assignments. has been doing a terrific job during his debut preparation with wins at Bathurst and Forbes at his past two.
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