Promising Arrowfield filly Genzano, granddaughter of multiple Group 1 winner Ortensia takes on
Provincial company for the first time at Newcastle on Saturday, and she can overcome the outside
barrier in the small field. Trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich the three-year-old will contest
the opening event, the Elders 3YO Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1500m) and starts from barrier eight in
the eight-horse field.
The barrier may not be a major issue as there is a 500m run to the first turn, and Genzano will
probably get across midfield one off the rail. Genzano is crying out for 1500m after a slashing Scone
1300m Maiden win on October 16. Grant Buckley rode the filly for the first time at Scone when she
raced away to win by 3.37 lengths, and he has the mount on Saturday. This is a hefty rise in class
from a Scone Maiden, however the daughter of Maurice is talented.
John Sargent’s mare Spiritchaser has had two starts at Newcastle over 900m and has been placed in
both. She led in a 1100m Canterbury Maiden in November last year only to finish second, two
lengths behind Royal Merchant. Andrew Adkins has the mount on Saturday.
The speedy Forms of Fear can overcome a wide barrier in the Hunt Hospitality Benchmark 64
Handicap (900m). The David Pfieffer trained son of Written Tycoon had his first Newcastle run last
start on October 17 and was backed from $6 into $3.50. He led until the closing stages before being
nailed by the promising Confess Our Dreams, Alysha Collet rides Forms of Fear on Saturday.
John O’Shea’s The Autumn Sun three-year-old Natural Deduction steps up to 1900m in the Huxley
Hill Benchmark 64 Handicap, but he must overcome the widest barrier. He was impressive second up
from a spell when he won a Newcastle 1600m Maiden on October 17. He always indicated he
needed time, and it was a tough win last start as he raced in second place in a strung-out field and
was to the line strong. His breeding suggests the 1900m won’t be a problem with the barrier the only
negative. Tommy Berry rode Natural Deduction last start but Ash Morgan rides on Saturday.
The Maitland Rugby Club, 2023 Premiers in the Newcastle competition have booked the NJC Pavilion
for their function on Saturday and Race 5 is the First National Maitland “Maitland” Cup Provincial
Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m). Aaron Bullock rides the top weight Big Happiness for Kristen
Buchanan, and he is the one to beat. Bullock rode the horse last start at Newcastle on October 17
when he closed off nicely to be beaten 1.62 lengths. He was second up last start after a first up
placing at Wyong and he is ready to win third up – and he has barrier one. Four of Big Happiness’
five wins have been on soft tracks and showers are predicted for Friday and Saturday