Newcastle racing preview & top value bets | August 11, 2021

Newcastle will host a rare metropolitan meeting this Wednesday, and HorseBetting’s New South Wales form analyst has you covered with his best bets and quaddie numbers for the seven-race program. The track is rated a Soft 5, the rail is out 5m for the entire course, and the first race is set to jump at 1:25pm AEST.

Best Bet at Newcastle: Stoical

Peter & Paul Snowden combine with Alysha Collett in the penultimate race of the day with quality four-year-old Stoical. The son of No Nay Never has won three from nine, including a very handy win at Kembla Grange last time out. The gelding gave his rivals a galloping lesson when first-up this campaign at Hawkesbury, before pulling up sore in his metropolitan debut at Canterbury on June 9. He had six weeks away from the races prior to his last start, which resulted in a half-length victory in a Benchmark 64 over 1000m. Collett has ridden this horse before, which will be an advantage given that he needs to overcome barrier 11. Provided he doesn’t burn too much gas early, Stoical should be hard to beat.

Next Best Bet at Newcastle: Exotic Ruby

Exotic Ruby was a good thing beaten on the Kensington track a fortnight ago when second to Centimental over 1400m. The Bjorn Baker-trained mare found herself in a sticky position from the inside alley, which ultimately cost her the race, so barrier four on Wednesday should be much more suitable. The daughter of Snitzel drops back in trip to 1200m and does rise slightly in class to Benchmark 72 company, which sees her weight rise 0.5kg to the 61kg. Rory Hutchings is one of the in-form jockeys in New South Wales at the moment, so his booking is certainly advantageous. Exotic Ruby should get every possible chance to make amends for her last start.

Best Value Bet at Newcastle: Travelling Kate

It was hard not to be impressed by Travelling Kate’s second Australian start at Kembla Grange on August 1. The formerly New Zealand-based mare had not shown a great deal in her first six starts, placing only once, before winning her maiden at Avondale on April 26 over 1200m. She then came out to Australia, where she has been trained by Brad Widdup and has had just the two starts, including a barnstorming runner-up effort last time out over 1400m. In that run, the daughter of Savabeel was last at the 400m and rattled home into second, finishing 1.8 lengths off Yugosphere. The extra 100m will suit, as will Newcastle’s 415m straight. The sting out of the ground is a bonus, as is barrier two. She is a real chance at good odds in what is a tricky race.

Wednesday quaddie tips for Newcastle