Spring racing selections: Newcastle tips for Saturday, November 14

I hope you were all able to fill your boots last Saturday – thank you Accountability – and fingers crossed you were able to sneak around the TAB dramas and get on.

This week we move up to Newcastle for their big day. The card is a bit mixed but there’s some value around. A few speculators have popped up along with a few short ways home.

It’s the best track in Australia. I’ll need to find another excuse if I can’t extend my handy lead against the house. I’m stepping back to the old ten-unit play post-carnival.

Dixie’s 2020 tally
Units bet: 465
Units won: 524.30
Stats are based on one unit being equal to a $1 win bet New South Wales dividends. See the comments for any changes based on scratchings or track condition.

Newcastle selections

Race 3 – 9 Bobby Dee (one unit)
I’m aiming to play with their money. I’m taking the big price with Bobby Dee. There doesn’t seem to be much speed and this horse drops significantly in weight from his recent midweek goes. Fortress Command and Matowi are next in line.

Race 4 – 17 Isalute (one unit)
I’m going wide again in this one with the reserve Isalute. He’s only had three starts and is up in grade and distance, but gets right down in weight with Cejay Graham’s claim and is worth a go in a pretty ordinary race. I had Surreal Step as the threat.

Race 5 – 13 Super (three units)
Super looks a bit of a good thing. He’s won his last two by big margins and is potentially moving up in the world. Home track, dry and the mile are all ticks.

Race 6 – 10 Obvious Step (two units)
It is an interesting stakes race for the three year-olds. I thought Obvious Step was a big hope and I am pretty keen. There’s no Peltzer form. I’m going on her run two back against Forbidden Love (subsequently third in the Empire Rose at Flemington) where she missed the kick, ran into traffic and finished well to be two lengths off. That stands up.

Race 7 – 10 Cuba (one unit)
The seemingly weekly million-dollar race comes to the steel city, and it’s a good one. Cuba should go forward with 2/4/6. He can give a sight despite the bad draw. Asiago is right in the numbers. She’s drawn a shocking gate too but is well in weight wise. Signore Fox and Fiesta are good hopes and Trumbull showed dash fresh and might go on with it. Ripper!

Race 8 – 7 Strawb (one unit)
This is another case of taking the local horse over the old pro. I’m going with Strawb fresh. She’s trialled well and 1400 first-up is fine. With another close loss, does Miss Einstein get closer to winning? She’s well overdue. Strange Charm at big odds is the spicy option.

Race 9 – 18 Onslaught (one unit)
Well, well, well, so the last four horses (all emergencies) rated as the top four. I’d rather win Powerball to be fair. I’m hoping Onslaught gets a run. This horse is back on a dry surface and with no weight he’s a sneaky chance. Numbers 17 and 20 rate equally next best. Irukandji is sure of a start. That horse has no fresh form but did win a trial and is back on a dry surface, so I’m trusting he’s right.

Good luck and good punting. Let me know where you’re playing and your best of the day.