Impeccably bred three-year-old filly Petersham, who was responsible for an eye-catching debut performance on this track on February 4 is set to atone in the Coastline Cleaning and Maintenance F&M Maiden Handicap (1400m) at Saturday’s Newcastle meeting. The filly is a blueblood, being a daughter of track star Lonhro and a granddaughter of four time group 1 winner Tuesday Joy. Petersham is trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the third trainers to have the promising stayer in their stable.
John Singleton bred and owns the filly, which was originally in the Maher and Eustace yard, but did not race. Newcastle trainer Sam Kavanagh was the fillies trainer when she had two trials in January and at her only start at Newcastle. It was a 1300m Maiden and she raced at the tail of the field before storming home to finish second, a head from the winner. The experience of the debut run and the 100m longer trip on Saturday points to a win. Following Petersham’s only start she was transferred to the Waterhouse-Bott stable. Group 1 winning jockey Christian Reith will ride the filly and she has a favourable draw on Saturday.
Top jockey Brad Rawiller, unsuccessful in his first Newcastle ride two weeks ago has four mounts on Saturday. Rawiller has had eight rides since relocating from Western Australia earlier this month. He won on High Plateau at Kembla on Thursday and Iknowastar at Mudgee last Sunday. Local trainer Paul Perry has booked Rawiller for bold striding front runner Theo Legion in the Harvey Norman Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). The five-year-old failed last start however, the shorter trip and the fact he has won twice on this track will see him fancied on Saturday.
Sydney trainers Joe Pride and David Pfeiffer have also booked Rawiller for horses on Saturday. Pride’s Kiwi bred four-year-old The Replicant is knocking on the door and has drawn perfectly in the Newcastle Master Builders Apprentices Class 1 Handicap (1500m). The gelding has been runner up at his past two starts over 1300m at Hawkesbury and Kembla. In both starts The Replicant has finished fast from back in the field, and he will appreciate the extra 200m on Saturday. Pfeiffer will start Clear Choice in the Buildcert CG&E Maiden Handicap (1400m). In his second start on Saturday, the son of former Newcastle star Choisir must overcome a wide barrier however if he repeats his two length fourth on debut at Warwick Farm on February 8, he will be hard to beat.
Nathan Doyle has accepted with two-year-old filly Wooloowin in the MBIB 2YO Maiden Plate (900m). There is a wrap on this youngster after her recent Beaumont trial win however, I understand there are other options for her next week if Doyle decides to bypass Newcastle.