The focus switches to Newcastle on Friday when the track hosts its biggest spring meeting of the season.

Four black-type races are programmed for the provincial club highlighted by the $175,000 Newcastle Cup (2300m) for which last-start winner Astronomos is the early favourite.

The David Vandyke-trained galloper is the market leader in a field which boasts Gai Waterhouse's 2014 Sydney Cup winner The Offer, promising import Orbec for John Thompson and Waterhouse's lightly raced stayer Zee Zeely.

Waterhouse will also have a strong hand in the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1500m), a traditional lead-up to next month's Epsom.

She will send out up Ecuador, a last-start runner-up to Hooked in the Tramway Handicap.

Premier trainer Chris Waller is sending a strong team to Newcastle and will have runners in all four stakes races.

Beyond Thankful will fly his stable's flag in the Cup while Flamingo Star represents him in the Cameron.

Wudang Mountain and Devil Hawk run for Waller in the Spring Stakes for three-year-olds while She's Clean will be his lone runner in the Tibbie Stakes for fillies and mares.

Usually held over two days, the spring meeting has been condensed to one this year.