The recent history of the Group 3 Newcastle Cup doesn’t throw up too many form patterns. Gai Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller are the most successful trainer and jockey respectively, while the Wyong Cup form line has produced three of the last eight winners. This may not prove so reliable this year, however, as they raced on a Heavy 10 track there; Newcastle is likely to be a Good 4 or Soft 5.

Our selection is the Kris Lees-trained SINGING ($4.00). He should be peaking third up from a spell, and looks like he has been set for this race on his home track. His best European form was in the 2200-2400 distance range, and recent winners Glencadam Gold and Winning Glory both came through the Premier’s Cup. Kerrin McEvoy won aboard Streetfighter in 2009, and should get a sweet run from barrier three.

Value may be found with DEE I CEE ($10) from the Waterhouse/Bott stable. A progressive stayer that was thrown in the deep end during the Autumn, he can improve off his Class 5 placing with a bit more fitness, a rise in distance and a nice weight drop (albeit ‘out of the handicap’ at this stage of his career).

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