Newcastle Betting Tips, Best Bets & Odds for February 18

Although wary that she was moved on after showing some promise in one preparation for Michael Moroney, this mare has found a very weak Provincial Maiden and her Victorian form should measure up here.

Sent out as favourite in her debut last year, she boxed on fairly for second but was no match for Scream Dream who was runner-up to a handy one in Rainbiel following that and Hello Sunshine was last seen on a heavy track where she was well held but still managed a second to a useful Jimenez (subsequently won two more).

The daughter of Jimmy Choux went to the line well for third in a recent trial and in a field with very little exposed form around most of her opposition, she's good enough to get away with this.

While the two January trials were fine, they still left a bit in the tank for the return run at Kensington on February 2 where he's run into a smart debut winner and the runner-up Lady Of Luxury arguably should've won yesterday, so confident that stacks up at Provincial level.

Magic Ruler has strong form lines from his first preparation that started in a Hawkesbury Maiden where he was heavily supported but could only manage second to Mr Colorful (won a Benchmark 64 in December) but held-off Winds Of War (Provincial winner) in a Maiden that rated well for that July 2 program.

This colt was runner-up to Yardstick at start two and defeated Rule Of Law (dual winner) in the process, two genuine city class gallopers and had genuine excuses in his August flop (cardiac arrhythmia) but with the blinkers now going on second-up, I suspect he's ready to fire.

Although the beaten margin didn't necessarily reflect it, the second-up defeat was a poor showing on the January 23 card from Kembla Grange where he was a big drifter late in the betting ($2.35-$3.10) in what was technically a higher grade to this.

It is worth noting that jockey Andrew Gibbons (who stays aboard) suggested that this gelding is likely looking for some give in the track and he did let down powerfully first-up on a Soft 7, so it's worth forgiving that last effort and the tongue tie now goes on (possibly choked down?).

Admit It was outclassed in his last winter outing before being tipped out but was still second to Snowfire, who has won twice in town this campaign and he did have a good margin on McGeehan (city winner in January) in that same contest, so the form around him is good enough to figure here.