Arrowfield Studs trainer Paul Messara had a day out at the Newcastle Jockey Club’s Beaumont track meeting on Monday when he prepared three winners and a placing from four starts.
The Dundeel filly Mirror Queen started the ball rolling when she landed a massive plunge in the OAS Technology Maiden 1300m. Bookmakers put up $15 about Mirror Queen the day before the meeting. On the morning of the race, she was a $9 chance but when the barriers opened the filly had been backed into $2.70.
Blake Spriggs settled the 3 year old midfield and in the straight she let down magnificently to win by more than three lengths. Mirror Queen was on debut after an eye catching Scone trial performance.
Messara’s boom 4 year old Akasawa resumed from a 9 month spell to win the Choisir Benchmark 74 Handicap 1350m. Heavily backed the $1.95 favourite dashed away in the straight to win convincingly. It was Akasawa’s fourth win from five starts and he was unlucky in the other. He was being set for the ATC Derby in the Autumn but he was injured on the water walker and had to be spelled. Stablemate Total Recall with 63 kilograms on his back was a creditable third behind Akasawa.
Arrowfield’s smart Shalaa filly Shalstar brought up the treble in the Hunter Valley Premium Meats Class 1 Handicap 1150m. It was only her third start and she was backed into $1.90 before the dominate win. She was unlucky when second at Muswellbrook on debut before a strong Gosford Maiden win.
Wyong apprentice Jake Barrett steered home his first winner when Endless River came from midfield to win the Boxing Day Races Class 2 and Above Benchmark 58 Handicap 1150m. Originally Handicapped on 64 ½ kilograms Barrett’s 4 kilogram claim made the winner so well placed and he sprinted away in the straight.
Aaron Bullock was the leading rider on the day with a double.