Newcastle will host New South Wales’ midweek meeting this week, and seven races are on the program.

The rail will be set out six metres around the entire course and at publish, we’re faced with a track rated in the Good (4) range.

A short, sharp sprint for a country and provincial field of maidens kicks off the program, and there isn’t a lot of form to study.

These 900m races at Newcastle typically aren’t for me, but particularly with the amount that could happen in a contest like this one. I am happy to stay out.

Adulting hasn’t been seen at the races for more than a year, but given there isn’t a lot of experience engaged in this contest, I am happy to give the mare the chance to win.

Adulting made just one appearance during her debut prep, finishing fifth behind Flexible at Warwick Farm.

She has returned a couple of nice trials in the lead-up to her return, and this looks a lovely launchpad for her.

Aquarius will enjoy plenty of improvement from a credible debut effort, and she can break her maiden at Newcastle this week.

The Matt Dunn-trained filly showed promise at the trials prior to debut, and she finished fifth behind the likes of Trifaccia at Warwick Farm a couple of weeks ago.

There doesn’t look to be as much depth in this contest and on exposed form, she’s the one to beat.

Celtic Harp has stripped fitter for two starts back this time, and he looks ready to break his maiden when he steps out at Newcastle this week.

The No Nay Never gelding needed his first run back to tune up when sixth, beaten nearly six lengths at Canterbury, but I thought that there was a lot to like about his work late at Warwick Farm last time.

Fitter third-up and back to provincial level, he might not be offered a better opportunity to win.

Race 5 – 4:40pm – Newmarket Day 4th March BM68 Handicap (1300m)

I’m going to give The Crimson Idol a chance dropping in grade at Newcastle on Wednesday.

The Crimson Idol has mixed her form a little recently, but trainer Jeff Englebrecht has been setting him for far tougher races in town, and she did record an impressive win in BM72 company at Randwick in November.

She steps out this week rock-hard fit, and we can have an each-way play at the price.

Race 6 – 5:15pm – New Zealand Bloodstock 2022 Karaka Online BM64 Handicap (1500m)

Mydeel can record another win at Newcastle on Wednesday.

Mydeel is yet to return a poor effort in his four-start career, ending his last prep with a nice win in maiden company, and resuming this time for another classy win at Muswellbrook.

This is a rise in class, but harbours plenty of upside, and it does look to be the next logical point of call.

Race 7 – 5:50pm – Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m)

Tycoon Hallie will take plenty of improvement into her second campaign start at Newcastle on Wednesday, and she is primed to strike.

The Written Tycoon mare didn’t miss placing in three starts during her early spring prep, and she raced home well to finish half a length second behind Nikau here on Boxing Day.

With any improvement, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish.