Wednesday’s metropolitan meeting in New South Wales will be hosted at Newcastle this week and seven races are on the program.

The rail will be set out five metres around the entire course and at publish, the track is rated in the Soft (5) range.

Publicist returned a nice effort to finish second on debut at Randwick-Kensington and I am confident that he can go one better at Newcastle this week.

The Written Tycoon colt showed ability at the trials prior to his first competitive hit-out, and he ran home well to finish just over a head behind Brigantine late last month.

With even luck, he looks a key winning chance.

Mother’s Mercy will appreciate some relief in the weights and a drop in class when she steps out at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The Redoute’s Choice mare recorded a lovely win here at Newcastle when resuming and hasn’t been far away from the winner at her last two, including a Saturday BM78 contest at Randwick last time.

She looks to be at peak fitness for this race and she’ll be tough to beat.

There is a case to be made for a few starters in Race 3 at Newcastle on Wednesday, including Majella.

Majella raced well around some above-average gallopers lasty time, and she returned to action at Randwick-Kensington late last month, finishing just over two lengths fifth behind Kinloch.

She has raced well at this point of her preparation previously and something of this quality looks to be well within her abilities.

I’m intrigued to see how the consistent Toomuchtobear handles a change to the opposite way of going this week, and I am happy to have something on.

The Press Statement gelding finished second in each of his first two starts back from a spell, and he was last seen breaking his maiden at Bendigo, beating home the likes of subsequent winner Mr Brightside.

He is five weeks between runs, but he clearly has bucketloads of talent, and he can continue his rise through the grades.

Race 5 – 3:45pm – Ranvet Handicap (1200m)

This is a drop in class for the second-up Hyannis Port and she looks primed to strike.

Hyannis Port has been a good horse for the Ryan & Alexiou stable since debuting, and races like this one have been her bread and butter.

I thought that there was a lot to like about her resuming effort for fifth behind Starla at Rosehill in late July and she’s another who will take plenty of improvement for the hit-out.

Race 6 – 4:20pm – Vinery Stud Handicap (900m)

I’m confident that Miss Dior is ready to win when she steps out at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The Brazen Beau mare finished second, beaten a length and a half by a fit Our Bellagio Miss at Randwick when resuming and kept all of her best work for late when fourth, beaten a length in a similar contest last time.

Fitter third-up and dropping back to the midweeks, this looks beautiful placement by the Snowdens.

Race 7 – 4:55pm – XXXX Handicap (1300m)

Land Ahoy hasn’t been seen at the races since finishing eighth in the ATC Oaks, and while there’s little doubt she’ll be better over a trip, she invariably pulls out a good run when fresh.

The Dundeel mare returned several pleasing efforts last prep, and recorded consecutive wins here and at Canberra before stepping up in class.

She has had the benefit of a trial in the lead-up to her return and this looks an ideal launchpad for her.