New Zealand bred filly Certain Future sporting the colours of world powerhouse Yu Long Investments has bright prospects in the Des Edser Memorial Super Maiden Plate (1350m) the opening event of the Newcastle Jockey Clubs Iconic Boxing Day Race meeting on the Beaumont track on Thursday. Trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald. Certain Future is well weighted under the set conditions with only 52.5 kilograms on her back after the claim for the stables talented apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald. The filly carried 58.5 kilograms on debut when beaten less than two lengths when favourite on the Kensington track on December 6. Prior to that run she beat the smart Madam Instrife in a Randwick trial. On debut Certain Future settled back in seventh place with a nice trail and after coming off heels around the 250 metre mark the 3-year-old finished strongly. This race is a drop on class and the rails barrier is gold.
Mark Minervini’s mare Rubi’s Serve is in career best form and is well placed in the 1350 metre For The Love Of Freda Benchmark 64 Handicap. She has had four starts this preparation, three on the Newcastle course proper. First up on November 2 the mare found the 900 metres too short when placed behind boom 3-year-old Private Harry. Up to 1300 metres two starts back Rubis Serve came from well back in the field to win a Newcastle Maiden. Last start on December 7 she was beaten a head at Newcastle by the unbeaten and promising Churchill’s Choice which won at Randwick last Saturday. Lee Magorrian rode the mare last start, and he retains the mount.
The consistent Central Coast mare Spicy Hotspot races well when fresh and the Russian Revolution 4-year-old has a good chance first up in the 1150 metre The Prince Of Merewether After Party 64 Handicap. Both her two wins have been first up and second up and she has easily won two recent trials at Newcastle and Wyong. In the last trial at Newcastle, she sat outside stablemate Much Much Better and careered away in the last 200 metres to win by 2.18 lengths untouched. The mare has drawn perfectly in barrier two and is another good mount for Lee Magorrian.
Kris Lee’s filly Alliri, placed in her only three starts can break through in the 1200 metre Recycle Today Greener Tomorrow 3YO Maiden Plate. After narrow defeats at Scone and Taree the 3-year-old went to the Kensington track on December 6, and she was beaten 1.5 lengths into third place. She raced on the speed in second place and this field is not as strong.
James Cummings has two 3-year-old fillies lining up in the 1200 metre Lucky’s Scrap Metals Maiden Plate. Jean Van Overmeire rides Magenta which found the line okay although only ninth beaten two lengths at Hawkesbury on debut on December 8. The longer trip is ideal, and she has drawn perfectly. Luminol, daughter of 2007 Golden Slipper winner Forensics is on debut after a very soft trial on the Kensington track on December 9.
The Boxing Day meeting attracts one of the biggest crowds to Newcastle each year and with fine weather predicted the club’s second biggest crowd of the year is expected. The club will then have a short break before hosting a Gosford transferred meeting on Friday 10th January.