| What | Newcastle Gold Cup Day 2022 |
| Where | Newcastle Racecourse |
| When | Friday, September 16, 2022 |
| First Race | 1pm AEST |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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It is Gold Cup Day this Friday at Newcastle, where a competitive eight-race program is scheduled to kick off at 1pm AEST. Headlined by the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup, alongside the Group 3 Cameron Handicap and Group 3 Tibbie Stakes, it sets us up perfectly for a weekend of Group 1 racing. With recent rain in the Hunter, the track has come up a Soft 7, while the rail returns to the true position.
Newcastle Gold Cup Top Tip – Mankayan
The Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) is the featured event on Friday afternoon and having strung together three wins from his four starts this campaign, Mankayan looks the one to beat. The six-year-old gelding from the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace yard managed to beat Smokin’ Romans and Irish Flame at Moonee Valley last time out in a race that is no harder than this one. From barrier four, Ben Melham (who travels for this one ride) should look to have this guy settled up on pace throughout, if not lead the field up in the Cup. If afforded a couple of cheap sectionals, with a near bombproof wet track record, Mankayan should prove too hard to gun down in the 2022 Newcastle Gold Cup.
Newcastle Gold Cup
Race 6 – 
#2 Mankayan (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | J: Ben Melham (59kg)
$3.50 with Palmerbet
Cameron Handicap Top Tip – Old Flame
The Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) has attracted a strong field of 12 and we anticipate the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Old Flame can walk away with the majority of the $200,000 on offer. Having gunned down Purple Sector first-up from a spell over 1400m at Rosehill, this son of Invincible Spirit is sure to appreciate the extra 100m he gets here on Friday. With two wins and a minor placing from three starts on soft going, the four-year-old should have no issue with the conditions he faces. Form barrier 12, if Sam Clipperton can have him settled in the first half a dozen with cover, the race looks perfectly set-up for Old Flame to take a sit off a genuine speed, build through the gears and finish over the top of the likes Cross Talk and Purple Sector.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#9 Old Flame (12)
4yo Horse | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Sam Clipperton (54kg)
$3.90 with Palmerbet
Tibbie Stakes Top Tip – Hope In Your Heart
Having beaten the smart Frumos at Rosehill second-up from a spell, the Kerry Parker-trained Hope In Your Heart is sure to take some beating at a big price in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes. Having gained a gun run in transit last time out, the four-year-old mare managed to find clear air at the right time and quickened nicely to get the better of her preferred rival. This is obviously a big step up in class, but with a decent enough form on rain-affected going and already armed with a win third-up from a spell, she presents great value at $13 with online betting sites. As long as she does not get trapped three wide the trip from barrier 10, the Dundeel mare has a nice turn of foot and is sure to take some beating.
Tibbie Stakes
Race 8 – 
#9 Hope In Your Heart (10)
4yo Mare | T: Kerry Parker | J: Tim Clark (55kg)
$13 with Palmerbet
Best Bet at Newcastle – Ebhaar
We were with the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Ebhaar when she gripped on second-up at the Warwick Farm 1000m on August 31. Having competed in Listed or Group level in all four prior career starts, the I Am Invincible filly appreciated the drop back to BM72 grade in what is sure to be a confidence building win. She travelled three wide up on speed that day and on class alone managed to hold off the likes of Nasturtium and Not Another Reiby. The 900m scamper on Friday looks to be right up her alley and as she showed last time out and at the trials prior to her spring campaign, she is more than capable when it comes to soft ground. From barrier seven, look for Tommy Berry (who sticks on board) to have this girl settled outside the leader throughout. When asked for an effort, Ebhaar should have a bit too much class for this lot.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#5 Ebhaar (7)
3yo Filly | T: Peter & Paul Snowden | J: Tommy Berry (55kg)
$2.45 with Ladbrokes
Best Value at Newcastle – Ting Tong
We will be looking to make our mark early on Friday when the Kris Lees-trained Ting Tong steps out in the opening event. The now four-year-old gelding has not been seen since his sixth-placed effort in the Queensland Derby and despite dropping back to the mile first-up, he looks to present great value. With a first-up record of one win and a minor placing from two goes fresh, this son of Epaulette is sure to handle what is in front of him with great aplomb. With Zac Lloyd on board claiming 1.5kg, he goes around with 61kg on his back, which is sure to benefit his chances of running on late. With a few of these wanting to settle up on speed, the race looks perfectly set up for Ting Tong to flash home over the top of his rivals at a nice price with online bookmakers.
Best Value
Race 1 – 
#1 Ting Tong (6)
4yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Zac Lloyd (a1.5) (62.5kg)
$5.50 with Neds
Friday quaddie picks for Newcastle
Newcastle quadrella selections
Friday, September 16, 2022
- 1-4-8-11
- 2-4-9
- 4-9
- 3-5-6-9
Investment: $96 for 100%
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