Newcastle jockey Ash Morgan rode 145 winners a couple of seasons back, and his double at Tuesday’s Newcastle meeting has skyrocketed the Welshman into second place with 44.5 winners in the 2023-24 NSW Jockeys Premiership. Tyler Schiller leads the premiership with 48 winners with Jason Collett (44) and Aaron Bullock (41) in hot pursuit. Bullock has missed the last two weeks of racing as he is overseas on his honeymoon.
Both Morgan’s winners were for lady trainers, Kim Waugh, and Cassandra Stummer. The Waugh trained Shemran ($19), who had been unplaced in his five previous starts raced midfield in the Greenway Turf Supplies Maiden Plate (1890m) before finishing strongly to win by .37 length.
Rebel’s Edge was an $8 chance in the Coastline Pools & Spa CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m). Rebel’s Edge was worse than midfield during the run and he sprinted to the leaders in the straight and he held off the luckless $3.60 favourite Olivia’s Spirit to win by a head. Rebel’s Edge was second up in the Guyra Cup on November 12 and was runner up to Indifference. He has been a good money spinner for the Muswellbrook trainer with prizemoney of $151,135.
Veteran Newcastle trainer Charlie Porter was back in the winner’s circle with seven-year-old Mr Polar in the final event, the PFD Food Services Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m). Friendless in betting in the field of eight, Mr Polar was a $26 chance and after beginning quickly the gelding sat outside the leader to tough it out for a narrow win. The winner had not won a race since July 2022. Porter is one of the oldest trainers at Newcastle.
Kris Lees’ New Zealand bred Shuri made the transition from Country to Provincial class when she narrowly won the Community Race Day This Sunday F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m). Shuri had a lovely run in transit behind the leaders and she grinded away in the straight to win by the barest of margins from the leader Watch My Girl. The four-year-old has won her only two starts at Taree and Newcastle.
Wyong three-year-old Fioprospero, a son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente put up an impressive performance to win the Hungerford Hill Wines Provincial Maiden Plate (1400m). The gelding came from near last to win by 1.38 lengths running away. He was unplaced in his only two starts in his first preparation in the winter but he was very good on Tuesday.
Three-year-old colt Turbulent, unplaced in four starts in his two-year-old year resumed from a spell to win the New Era Technology Maiden Plate (1200m). Rory Hutchings allowed the colt to drift back in the field and he made a long run down the straight to win by a head.
Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith quinellaed the Kloster Motor Group Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m). Surfers Royale led all the way for Newcastle Cup winning jockey Rachel King and staved off the heavily backed stablemate Divine Vicky to win by half a length.
A fast move around the field at the 800m paved the way for victory for Lady Superspy in the Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Benchmark 64 Handicap (1890m). Mitchell Bell was aboard the winner, and his tactical ride won the race. The eye-catching run was from runner up California Grass which is crying out for a longer trip. The mare stormed home late from second last, and last preparation she won over 2300m at Newcastle.