The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Shayne O’Cass provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle and top selections for Grafton on Tuesday.

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NEWCASTLE TIPS

BEST BET

Race 5 No.5: SUNDAY TYCOON

Boasts some compelling figures right across the board.

NEXT BEST

Race 4 No.9: SMART CRY

Appears to be a horse on an upward trajectory.

VALUE BET

Race 1 No.3: BALLET ENCORE

Blue-blooded mare on debut, top yard, top trials.

QUADDIE

Race 5: 5, 8

Race 6: 3, 6, 10, 11

Race 7: 1, 2, 8, 17

Race 8: 5, 11

JOCKEY TO FOLLOW

JASON COLLETT will be popular in Tuesday’s TAB Jockeys Challenge.

GRAFTON TIPS

BEST BET

Race 6 No.9: OUR SPARKY

Only won 1 from 16 but she is a reliable mare who deserves another.

NEXT BEST

Race 2 No.2: AMARONE

Lost no admirers in defeat last start. Has the talent.

VALUE BET

Race 3 No.6: KITSILANO

Third-up and getting out to a trip that suits most.

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NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP (900m)

BALLET ENCORE (3) was an $800,000 Easter Yearling sale purchase. The now 4YO mare is a daughter of I Am Invincible out a half-sister to NZ 1000 Guineas winner King’s Rose. The two winter trials were loaded with merit. TORENDOSETTA (4) races in the same colours as her sire Brave Smash. The third dam is Romanee Conti, by the way. Powered home on debut in January at Port Macquarie. Won a trial at Gosford on August 7.

BET: BALLET ENCORE to win; quinella 3, 4.

RACE 2: PROVINCIAL MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)

WINNING RULET (8) is trained by Kerry Parker, just like most of the good ones in the pedigree, namely Hope In Your Heart, who is this filly’s “aunt” in human terms. Winning Rulet has a mix of speed and stamina and the trial win was narrow but impressive. Has ability. RIDGEBACK (1) was good on debut and will probably be better again for the experience. ALMONZO (9) makes his debut at home (tick) and at 1300m (tick). The trials were all good to varying degrees and for different reasons.

BET: WINNING RULET each-way.

RACE 3: SUPER MAIDEN HANDICAP (1250m)

MAGENTA SKIES (12) is a daughter of Frankel and was born in the UK as a result of a southern hemisphere mating. Her dam is Fireworks, who won the Widden Stakes. As for this one, she trials like she has a future far beyond a provincial maiden. ONMALONE (2) has the advantage of race experience and that race was at Wyong on March 19 when he was nosed out by a handy one in Congressman. BARCELO (5) is a big watch. So too Nielsen Park, who started at $2.20 at the midweeks in March.

BET: MAGENTA SKIES each-way; box trifecta 2, 5, 6, 12.

RACE 4: MIDWAY CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1250m)

SMART CRY (9) wasn’t totally awful on debut despite being $101 and beating one home. It was a decent maiden and she was OK late. She certainly took a lot out of the experience, going down to Kembla and winning (easily) on the heavy 10. Can keep progressing. GANDALF (3) won on debut, which is significant for the fact that he is first-up again. Wouldn’t read too much into the trials. ALFRED (5) is in great order. Erina won on debut at this track/trip and on a Heavy 10.

BET: SMART CRY to win.

RACE 5: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (900m)

SUNDAY TYCOON (5) received a great ride from Deanne Panya when he won at Gosford first-up. Didn’t have much luck the next time at Wyong but chased gamely until the very end. Panya back on, drawn well and any upgrade in the track would be helpful. CAN’T TOUCH THIS (8) led and was never challenged when she won a 1000m Class 1 at Kembla on the Heavy 10 second-up. Looks to be headed in the right direction. QUEIN STEP (9) has a win, two seconds and a third from four runs and handles soft nicely.

BET: SUNDAY TYCOON to win.

RACE 6: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (900m)

BALMAIN DARLING (11) is a chance to be saved for Kensington on Wednesday. She was a very impressive debut winner here on August 9 on the Heavy 10. LUNA VOLANTI (10) has some creditable form at the track and distance. Her only win was on a heavy surface. Could give a sight up on the speed at big odds. GOGMAGOG (3) has a good record on heavy tracks. Has won first-up and was second to Private Harry in a Gosford heat on August 18. MISS TRENTINO (6) is quick.

BET: LUNA VOLANTI each-way.

RACE 7: 4YO&UP MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)

REAL MAGIC (17) is an $81 chance to win and probably 20s to get a start but if she does she could be a massive improver. Her record is in no way a reflection of her ability, much less her prospects of getting on the board here at huge odds. HAMMOON HEROINE (8) is a GB-born daughter of Zoustar out of a Lope de Vega mare. That’s quality breeding and she looked a quality mare in the making when third in a very strong 1400m Super Maiden at Kembla.

BET: REAL MAGIC each way. If scratched, Hammoon Heroine each way.

RACE 8: BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1500m)

TIP TOP TIMING (11) has won eight races and placed 19 times from his 75 starts and 10 of the placings were seconds. In fact, the Clarry Conners-trained son of the Bart Cummings-trained Eurozone has finished runner-up at his last two at Newcastle and Wyong. Good, honest horse who will go out there and do his best as always. BROK CAFE (5) is unbeaten in both runs on heavy tracks. BALLINDERRY SAL (7) also handles the soft and heavy and is a Highway winner.

BET: TIP TOP Timing each way.