The James Cummings Godolphin stable are sending four of their team to the Newcastle Jockey Club meeting on Saturday and three of them have very good recent form on the Newcastle track. At the second day of the NJC’s Spring Carnival on September 21 the blue army were successful with lightly raced 4-year-olds Creek and Rip Off while Restonica was a close second and the three back up on Saturday.
Creek will be ridden by Jean Van Overmier in the 1400 metre Denton Engineering Class 1 Handicap and the gelding will appreciate the longer trip. He came from second last at the top of the straight when he won the 1250 metre Super Maiden here last start by 1.18 lengths. Creek was placed at Wyong, Pakenham and Sandown in the Autumn.
Jaden Lloyd makes the trip to Newcastle to ride the ultra-consistent Rip Off in the 1300 metre Newcastle Bus And Truck Hire Benchmark 64 Handicap. The mare has had four starts this preparation for two wins and two close seconds and she was too strong late in a similar race here last start.
Restonica was run down on the line first up here two weeks back and he has the rails barrier in the 1200 metre Astute Financial Benchmark 64 Handicap. The gelding went to the paddock following an easy Kembla Super Maiden win in January. Back in March 2023 he was beaten a neck by VRC Oaks winner Zardozi in a Gosford Maiden. Jean Van Overmeire rode Restonica last start and has the mount on Saturday.
Cummings’ remaining runner Anticipation is a home bred sired by boom sire Too Darn Hot and she has had four trials over two preparations. The filly contests a very classy A Plus Contracting & Polywelding Maiden Handicap (900m) however she can run well.
Gosford mare Alice Mae has not enjoyed the best of luck this preparation and she has the opportunity to break through in the opening event the 1500 metre Oporto Maiden Handicap. She flashed home when beaten a head at Taree on August 16 and again unleashed from near the rear when a close third on this track on September 3. Last start on Newcastle Cup Day Alice Mae was in second last place at the top of the straight but could not secure clear running until late in the race. The longer trip is ideal, and her jockey Jean Van Overmier has had a flying start to the season and has an attractive book of rides.
Warwick Farm trainer Jarrod Austin won the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle two weeks ago with Terra Mater and he heads back up the M1 on Saturday with the lightly raced mare Super Zippi. The latter has drawn perfectly, and Jess Taylor rides her in the 900 metre Signify Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. Super Zippo went for a spell after a Canterbury Maiden win on May 1. She has been trialing well and is very quick.
Randwick trainer John Sargent has a very promising Nicconi 3-year-old called French Ruler in the 1200 metre Australian Construction Group Super Maiden Plate. The geldings only start in a Canterbury 2 YO Maiden in June resulted in a fast finishing second. He was a clear last to the top of the straight before running on stoutly. His two recent trials have been impressive.