Horse racing tips: Newcastle best bets and inside mail

Matt Jones runs the rule over Friday’s meeting at Newcastle.

Horse racing tips: Newcastle best bets and inside mail.

ICEBATH is the next best bet in Race 8 No.3.

Horse racing tips: Newcastle best bets and inside mail. Race 3 No.6: State of America.

Local trainer Kris Lees can start off the day well in the first with I Want One and Ting Tong. Luncies and Special Reward are in Cameron and Kedah and Le Villi race in Tibbie.

Kerrin McEvoy can win the Newcastle Gold Cup on Born A King. Icebath has to hold out in the Tibbie Stakes two races later.

Communist is third-up here and comes out of a fair race at the midweeks last start. James McDonald is back on and he won on him two runs back. Ting Tong is first-time winner after getting to a Queensland Derby in May. I Want One has the fitness edge on Tings Tong but not the class.

A Lot More Love has been nominated for a Stakes race at Randwick on Saturday. Condrieu has had seven barrier trials to date before her debut as a five-year-old. Poetic Drama will be better second-up over more ground and she's going to be a threat as an improving type.

State Of America is the favourite for the Newcastle race. Warby is placed for his easiest test.   in the Black Opal. The blinkers go on State Of American for first time in a race after he was erratic at Gosford.

Ebhaar is third-up in a race and shouldn't be going backwards. Shalstar has won three of her four runs. Washington Towers flies fresh and is an even better chance against younger horses.

Left Reeling is above average and has the determination to go with her talent. Martini Crusader is a consistency that takes him a long way. Flying Witness needs to find the killer blow and improve her record.

Arapaho is in top form and should win. Born A King drops 5kg off a dominant win at Rosehill. Durston came third in the Wyong Cup. Maher/Eustace yard has had success of late bringing up stayers to win in NSW.

Cross Talk will try and lead all the way in Race 7. Purple Sector is going well but needs a drying track desperately. Character is already a multiple Group 2 winner.

Icebath is the best weighted horse on the day by a mile. More Prophets is way overs here. Hope In Your Heart is another who is overs after beating the promising Frumos last time. Katalin has just missed both times this prep and looked primed now.