EXPERT RACING TIPS: NEWCASTLE

NEWCASTLE PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | TUESDAY AUGUST 26TH 2025

Betting Strategy

WRITEGO drops slightly in grade out of stronger maidens and maps to be up on speed over this sprint trip, looks the one to beat based on recent form. I AM A WINNER rates well and will be fitter 2nd up now, the wet track may be a query after the last start performance which is the risk. TORENDOSETTA resumes for his 2nd prep having only had the one career run to date, she showed promise in a recent trial and wouldn’t surprise. BALLET ENCORE makes her debut and trials had been solid of late, she wouldn’t surprise here.

Betting Strategy

If VIA FLAMINIA can find a level of improvement from her 1st up performance, she should go close here, looked to handle the heavy track on debut so conditions should be no excuse. RIDGEBACK is another runner who handled a heavy track well on debut and maps well here. INCANTRESS has had plenty of chances so far but can be consistent in races of this level, wouldn’t surprise at odds. WHAT A GENT is fitter now 3rd up and maps to race on speed.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. From The Peak (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit (Rated at $4.50)

FROM THE PEAK contests a slightly easier level maiden than what she has seen in her last 2 starts. She represents good value in this race mapping well for an on speed run which should suit and she produced the highest rated run of her career 2 starts ago on a heavy rated track so conditions should prove no issue.

BACK: 1. From The Peak (PLACE) for 1 unit

FROM THE PEAK contests a slightly easier level maiden than what she has seen in her last 2 starts. She represents good value in this race mapping well for an on speed run which should suit and she produced the highest rated run of her career 2 starts ago on a heavy rated track so conditions should prove no issue.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 1. Bellenth (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $4.00)

BELLENTH resumes here contesting in a lower grade than what he was contesting at the end of last prep. He has previously performed well 1st up and has run 2nd on his only start on a heavy rated track. Conditions suit and he looks well suited to this level, the wide barrier not a huge concern if the track is playing off rails as expected.

Betting Strategy

This appeared to be one of the more open betting races of the meeting, who handles the heavy track best could prove to be the key. ELEGANT EMPRESS has a strong record on the heavy tracks and will settle in the front half of the field and be prominent. QUEIN STEP resumes after finishing last prep as a winner. Maps to be in the right spot in run on speed. SUNDAY TYCOON has a fitness advantage on some key players here, the heavy track perhaps a small query. CANT TOUCH THIS should appreciate the conditions given his strong record on the surface (3:2-0-0).

Betting Strategy

LAY: 11. Balmain Darling (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $6.00)

Competitive race, but happy to take on BALMAIN DARLING who has opened up here as the favourite. She was impressive on debut over this track/trip and did so on a heavy rated surface. But now has to take the jump up into benchmark level and stays at the 900m which feels the slight risk, she has to find a few lengths of improvement here and at the short price, happy to be risking.

Betting Strategy

GOLDEN CENTURY was well supported when resuming after he contested stronger races through last prep when contesting The ATC Derby. Feel that he should be winning here, but at the short price, not super keen to be betting on the heavy track. SHANONI was good last start when racing up in grade, she handled the heavy rated track so should be suited here in the easier grade and looks the key risk the the favourite. THE BIG BLUE has strung 2 placings together in his last 2 starts, if he handles the heavy track he should be around the mark. PENALTIES has run 2nd in his last 2 starts and handled the heavy track last start so wouldn’t surprise here at odds.

Betting Strategy

SURREAL I AM rates well for a race like this and appears to get the right race map. Question is if he handles the heavy rated track given his better performances have previously come on dryer tracks. BROK CAFE is a runner who should have no issue on this track given her impressive record on a heavy rated track (2:2-0-0). WILD CHAP drops in grade after some competitive efforts up in grade, has to carry a big weight with his rating, but does have a good record on heavy ground. THINK WE’RE THERE resumes and gets a positive race map.