Race-by-race preview and tips for Newcastle on Thursday

How to play it: Columbus WIN.

Race 4

6. Emilia Jane has had two starts back from a spell and finished midfield in each of them at Gosford and this track. She looks ready to peak now and is set to give plenty of cheek up to this distance. 1. Squeezebox has run third in both of his runs since resuming for the new stable and is set to figure prominently again. 2. Doradus failed to fire when resuming at this track but has shown ability in his career and is capable of sharp improvement. 4. Erina was a winner here on debut and comes into this after a last start third at Kembla Grange.

How to play it: Emilia Jane EACH WAY.

Race 5

9. Luskintyre is a lightly raced filly that broke through with a win at this course and distance at her fourth start. She looks to have the potential to go on with the job despite the awkward alley. 4. Welcome Gypsy has been racing well of late and is also a winner over this distance at this track. 6. I Am A Winner won here two starts ago and is a chance with a repeat of that, while 1. No Statement has been around a while now but continues to race well.

How to play it: Luskintyre EACH WAY.

Race 6

8. Mah Ali ran home well to finish fourth at Wyong two starts ago and followed that up with a second at Canberra when last produced. She only needs to run up to those efforts to be hard to hold out here. 5. Oceanfront wasn’t beaten far when a last start third at Wyong and has claims up to this distance. 9. Uncle Harry has worked home well into fourth in his latest two starts and is worth thought, while 14. Sweet Bubbles ran home well to score a last start Muswellbrook win.

How to play it: Mah Ali WIN.

Race 7

Loading

11. Wangi Wangi raced on the speed when scoring a debut win at Gosford then backed that up with a fourth at Kembla Grange when leading and weakening in the straight. She should push forward from the wide gate in this and is worth another chance. 10. Dusty Bay had no luck when it needed it when a last start fourth at Kembla Grange and can atone here. 9. I Am Brave was a strong Scone winner on debut and was spelled after a fifth in Midway grade at Rosehill. 7. Aligned was placed here last time out and can get into the money again.

How to play it: Wangi Wangi EACH WAY.

Race 8

7. Scorched Lane led at Kembla Grange when last produced and finished fourth behind Sonofdec and Thundering Soul. He’s drawn well here and is worth another chance with a run to suit. 2. Sonofdec hit the line well to win that Kembla Grange event and should be prominent again if he can repeat the dose. 5. Thundering Soul also ran home well in that race and can do a similar job here. 8. Dark Vador resumes and was a good Wagga winner before the break.

How to play it: Scorched Lane EACH WAY.

Best Bets: Race 3 (2) Columbus.

Race 5 (9) Luskintyre.

Best Value: Race 8 (7) Scorched Lane.