The Newcastle Jockey Clubs first day of their Spring Racing Carnival on Friday features a cracking eight race program with three Group 3 events and more than $1 Million in prizemoney. The race meeting has been bolstered by the appearances of some of Australia’s leading jockeys – McDonald- Rawllier – Berry- Collett-Clark-McEvoy-Parr- Bayliss- Hyeronimis-King and young guns Schiller, Lloyd and Gibbons.
The $300,000 Group 3 Sharp Office Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) is the feature race event, and the nine-horse event is choc full of quality. The Annabell Neasham-Rob Archibald trained Irish import Redstone Well is the $3.20 favorite after a dominate 2.93 length all the way victory last start in the Randwick City Tatts Cap on September 7. The predicted good 4 surface is ideal for the 6-year-old as three of his five wins have been on firm tracks. Tom Sherry has ridden Redstone Well in the geldings last two starts and the Irish Man has the mount of Friday.
Chris Waller has won five Newcastle Cups, and he will saddle up three stayers in Fridays Cup. Another Irish import Etna Rosso appears his best chance with Kerrin McEvoy chasing his fourth Newcastle Cup win in the saddle. Etna Rosso started favorite in the Wyong Cup two weeks back but failed finishing fourth. McEvoy told stewards the gelding needed a bigger track, and he has that on Friday.
Peter Snowden, another who has trained a Newcastle Cup winner is represented by second favorite Touristic runner up in his past three starts in the Randwick Premiers Cup, Grafton Cup and Rosehill McKell Cup. Regan Bayliss rides Touristic after being aboard the son of Frankel in his past three starts.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees Newcastle Cup win was with Mugatoo in 2020 and his grey stayer Luncies a close second in the recent Wyong Cup has a chance with Josh Parr in the saddle. Australian Bloodstock sponsored 1500-metre Cameron Handicap field is a beauty. In fact, the sponsor’s managed syndicates have two of the main chances in a wide-open affair. The unlikely Nugget is a quality miler raced by Australian Bloodstock and trained by Ciaron Maher. The English import was narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Doncaster in April, never saw daylight in the straight in the Scone Cup in May and had no luck in the recent Tramway first up behind Royal Patronage. He has a good second up record and will appreciate the long straight. Dylan Gibbons will ride the $9.50 chance.
Maher’s other runner in the sponsors colours is another import Berkshire Shadow and James McDonald has the mount. The grey was badly held up when midfield first up at Rosehill on August 31. Two of his four wins have been on firm tracks.
Victoria’s Hayes brothers will send top weight Here To Shock to Newcastle for The Cameron and Nash Rawiller is booked to ride. He won the BRC Sprint during the Brisbane Carnival in May and the gelding was heavily backed when a close third, second up at Caulfield on August 31 behind the talented Another Wil. The Cameron Handicap winner is eligible for The Big Dance in November.
Waller and McDonald combine with top weight Roots in the remaining Group 3 event the 1400-metre Reward Hospitality Tibbie Stakes for the Fillies & Mares and Sydney trainers dominate. Roots, winner of more than $1 million on the track has not raced since a solid performance in the Group 1 Tatts Tiara at Eagle Farm in June. She had a very quiet recent trial at Randwick behind Mazu, Stefi Magnetica, Fangirl and Think About It. The mare has won three races on good 4 tracks.
Hell Hath No Fury was an outstanding run when placed in the Wyong Mona Lisa two weeks ago and draws nicely. Terra Mater won the Mona Lisa and has won five of her past eight starts and Nash Rawiller her regular rider has the mount.
Photo Credits: Bradleys Photos