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

Selections based on a soft track.

Race 1

2. Malbork Castle has hit his straps winning his past two starts in good style. He had a string of placings before scoring those two wins. He’s up in distance for this but shows all the signs that he will handle it. 1. Coto De Caza was down the track against tougher opposition at Rosehill before a solid second at Kembla Grange when last produced. 5. Whisker To Whisker ran well when finishing third at Wyong three starts ago and then wasn’t beaten too far despite running last at Warwick Farm. She was safely held in the Winter Cup at Rosehill last time out but will find this much easier. 3. Whetu is a tough stayer at best and could get into the placings from the good draw.
How to play it: Malbork Castle to win.

Race 2

6. Cellarmaster is a Bivouac gelding on debut on the back of three barrier trials. He’s had two recent hit-outs leading into this, and won the last of them at Canterbury. He’s drawn wide but looks to have the talent to run a bold race. 9. Hillier is resuming from a spell on the back of two trials, and he finished second in the last of them at Randwick. He ran second on debut in the Canonbury Stakes and looms as a leading chance. 3. Firework has been placed in two of four starts and has drawn the inside here. 10. Sunburnt Country resumes after two trials and is far from the worst.
How to play it: Cellarmaster each way.

Race 3

8. Samarelle is a Savabeel filly having her first start here. She’s had two trials and comes in this after a second in a Canterbury hit-out. She’s from a form stable and should take plenty of beating. 6. The Stars has been placed in two of four starts in city grade and can sprint well first up from a spell. 4. Say Yes is a stablemate of The Stars on debut after a number of trials. 7. Organics can improve on a resuming seventh at Sale.
How to play it: Samarelle each way.

Race 4

5. Starry Desert is an Irish import having his first Australian run. He’s been placed in two of four starts and has had two trials in preparation, running second in the latest of them. 14. Skirmish ran well in two trials before making her debut with a fourth on the Kensington track. She can run well with a repeat. 7. Invisible Magic has been placed in all four starts to date and warrants plenty of thought again. 10. Shanoni is yet to be placed from four starts, but has shown enough to be rated a minor money hope here.
How to play it: Starry Desert each way.