The Kris Lees trained stayer Our Candidate made light of his top weight of 62kg to outstay his opponents in Monday’s Hunter Valley Premium Meats Cessnock Cup (2100m) on the Beaumont track. Raced by an Australian Bloodstock syndicate, the eight-year-old Irish import, clearly the best preformed stayer in the Cup was sent out as the $2.30 favourite. Aaron Bullock allowed Our Candidate to settle back in the small field and he had the last crack at the leaders.
Our Candidate spent plenty of time off the scene following his half-length placing behind Hush Writer in the 2019 Newcastle Cup. He has twice suffered tendon injuries since, however his form this campaign has been impressive. Our Candidate has been placed in all three metropolitan events this campaign and the gelding’s placing in the recent Port Macquarie Cup was full of merit. He will back up in the $300,000 “The Beauford” on The Hunter Day on November 12.
Lees took the training honors on the day with a treble. The stable struck early when another Australian Bloodstock owned galloper Lanova took out the opening event The Hunter – November 12 F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap (1350m) at double figure odds. It was the first of a winning double for stable apprentice Dylan Gibbons. Gibbons also piloted the heavily backed Lees trained In The Blink to victory in the Rarity Wholesale Class 1 Handicap (1150m).
The easiest and most impressive winner on the day was the Gosford trained three-year-old Karedada in the Ken Maher 101st Birthday Maiden (1200m). The gelding found the 900m trip on debut at Newcastle too short, and Andrew Gibbons rode him like the good thing he was to win by 6 lengths.
In form jockey Jean Van Overmeire rode a winner in his last Newcastle meeting for at least six months. He left on Wednesday to ride in Dubai for six months, attached to former Queenslander Michael Costa’s stable. Van Overmeire was aboard the emerging Port Macquarie stayer Binkou, winner of the Allied Moving Services Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1350m).
The Paul Perry trained Imperial Grey won the final event, the Kloster Motor Group CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1350m).
The NJC race on the course proper this Saturday before the $1 Million Hunter Race Day on November 12.