Two meetings to look at on Friday, with my attention at Marburg and Newcastle. Down below are the best bets for the respective programs.

Marburg

Best bet: Race 1, Number 1, Feel Your Way

This mare has been runner up her past four, clearly knocking on the door to win one and I think she gets a great chance here. Raced at this track last Thursday where she opted for cover from this gate and battled away well when second. I think she’ll hold the lead this time around and take beating.

Next-best: Race 2, Number 1, Elle Jay

I think this will be a peg dominated affair, with Elle Jay leading and the key threat, Whata Optimist, on its back. It will all depend on if it can get clear. I am hoping not and hoping Peter Greig can hold the front and keep Whata Optimist in a pocket. The form around reads well and will be hard to run down.

Value: Race 3, Number 1, Torque Is My Girl

Comes up with a draw to do no work. She is a track/distance winner that comes up with the pole. Recent efforts at Redcliffe haven’t been too bad but has a good gate this time around. The depth here isn’t strong so something small each way, he’s worth a shout.

Newcastle

Best bet: Race 1, Number 6, My Ultimate Snowy

This colt looks well above average, albeit off trials, but off those trials, he looks to go pretty good and should take care of this race. His last couple of trials have seen him run fast time and do it without spending too many petrol tickets. There is a bit of depth on paper, but he looks pretty sharp.

Next-best: Race 2, Number 2, My Ultimate Chevron

This should be a pretty painless watch. Former Kiwi that was brought to Australia to contest the NSW Derby. Ran third in the Heat and was far from disgraced in the Final in what looks like an elite year for three-year-old boys. Bringing that form to a moderate race at Newcastle, he puts this lot away.

Value: Race 8, Number 1, Grosestar

He hasn’t set the world on fire in recent times, but he comes up with a draw to run a much improved race. Had this gate two back when a close up fifth before a total forgive last time. Ideally, he can hold leaders back and from that position, I think he only runs well here.