7:15 Newcastle Tips

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Rory is in stall 13 and is well suited by this 6f and has a decent record with 2 wins and a place at this course and distance. He wore a visor for the first time last run over 7f and finished a fair sixth, and he is holding his form well. Jim Goldie and Lauren Young are a solid combo, and the wide stall 13 may push Rory to settle mid-pack and wait for a late run. Overall, his 10% strike rate and 17% place rate at this class say to me that he is more of an each-way chance, especially with the pace setup likely to be steady at Newcastle. However, he could surprise us all today.

Race 8 at Newcastle today is a Handicap (Class 6) over 1,207 m on the Flat Race for 3 y.o. and upwards on the Polytrack. The suggested wager is for the each way on the 5-year-old gelding Bishop's Glory from the ex-South African top-class conditioner Joey Ramsden {won all the top features at least once there} and will be ridden by apprentice jockey Andrea Pinna, who will claim 3.2 kg. This son of Cotai Glory is a two-time winner and in the space of 28 starts has had two runs here. The first time here was just his 2nd start when running a reasonable 5th, improving from his debut. 26 starts later, he won like there's more to come. He has basically run far better on Polytrack compared to Turf, with 98 percent of his earnings on the Polytrack. With his top showings preferring this distance, as was his last run when winning here, all the positive aspects give him the purple status. He should ease in.

Course winner, 4x distance winner. Drops down 1 class since last run. First time ride for jockey Costello, sometimes injects a spark in horse. With only 1lb above recent winning mark, each-way play.

A Lady Forever won over course and distance in February and has continued to run well, being placed in 3 of her last 4 starts. Runner-up over 5 furlongs here last month, she should appreciate the return to 6 furlongs. Off the same mark, she looks like a good each-way bet with 4 places on offer.