Beaumont Racecourse in Newcastle is host to the 2016 Newcastle Gold Cup this Friday, betting tips and the latest odds for the staying showdown detailed below.

Last year’s runner-up Orbec (centre, red cap) is a place chance again in the 2016 Newcastle Cup on Friday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Set to run as Race 7 at 4:40pm (AEST), this season’s $175,000 Group 3 XXXX Gold Newcastle Cup (2200m) is at capacity with 14 starters plus an emergency runner.

Heading the Newcastle Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $4 for the win is one of four in the field for local trainer Kris Lees, French import Singing.

Drawn in barrier three with Kerrin McEvoy booked for the ride, the in-form Singspiel stallion chases his maiden win down under after back-to-back seconds.

The latest was at Rosehill on August 27 when only a neck off stablemate Sense Of Occasion in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1900m), and the extra metres should suit this Friday with Singing only rising a half-kilo to 56.5kg.

So will Singing finally salute in Australia or is there an upset Newcastle Gold Cup result on the cards from the likes of Sacred Master ($5.50), Lees’ Premier’s Cup winner Sense Of Occasion ($6) from the wide draw or even the 59kg top weight Junoob ($12)?

1^st

#2 Sacred Master ($5.50)

Chris Waller and hoop Hugh Bowman are in flying form and have a winning hope in Mastercraftsman five-year-old Sacred Master here. The New Zealand expat is Group 1 placed over the two miles back there and showed good improvement third-up on September 2 running second in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m). The 2200m should suit and gets in okay in the weights. Should be rock hard fit and ready to win.

2^nd

#3 Singing ($4)

Plenty of claims from the now local favourite Singing, Lees’ runner also looking right for a peak run third-up here. Drawn well, McEvoy retaining the ride and was close in Black-Type company at Rosehill last time out. First official run at the track, but the distance looks spot on and big chance to salute for the punters here at a still backable price.

3^rd

#4 Orbec ($10)

Early market mover has been backed in over the past 24 hours and is drawn one outside the favourite. Tye Angland rides the John Thompson-trained import who was runner-up in this race 12 months ago behind Beyond Thankful (2015). Hasn’t been in the money since, but was fourth in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) in Sydney last October and can atone for his 7^th in the Wyong Cup getting out over more metres on a firmer track on Friday.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Newcastle Cup 2016 betting tips, make sure you lock in the hottest odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2016 Newcastle Cup Betting Update