The powerful James Cummings-Godolphin stable have enjoyed considerable success on the Newcastle Racecourse over the years and on Saturday the stable is only sending the one representative up the M1 and the 3 year old has bright prospects.
Huon, a son of Kermadec will run in the Tynan Mercedes-Benz Maiden Plate (1200m) and the gelding will be ridden by promising Queensland apprentice Zac Lloyd. The latter now attached to the James Cummings stable is the son of South African jockey Jeff Lloyd who rode more than 90 Group 1 winners around the world, and the apprentice created a huge impression when he steered home a double at Gosford on Thursday.
Huon debuted on the Kensington track on Anzac Day when a close third on a heavy 9 track. In his only other start, the gelding attempted an all the way win at Newcastle only to go down by half a length. Again, that run was on a heavy track and similar conditions are expected on Saturday. He has drawn favourably, and Lloyd will claim 2kg.
Carartie, a 2-year-old filly formerly trained in Newcastle but now in the John O’Shea stable has been set for a first up win in the Disability Trust Maiden Plate (1200m). Carartie has been placed in six of nine starts and has good wet track form. She was narrowly beaten by Sacrimony at Canterbury in November and was placed in subsequent starts on the Kensington track and at Canterbury prior to Christmas. Carartie’s last start in the Gold Coast Magic Millions Maiden in January resulted in a close fifth and she has been trialling well.
Two promising fillies will clash in a strong Gooddrop.com.au Maiden Handicap (900m) on Saturday. The Bjorn Baker trained Invest In Love turned in an eye catching performance in the $200,000 2YO Inglis Challenge on Scone Cup Day earlier this month. The Capitalist filly drifted back in the big field, and she had a tough run four and five wide with no cover. She stormed home to get within half a length of the winner. Cinderella Days trained by Joe Pride is unraced, however she looked the goods in a recent Warwick Farm trial win.
Can the engagement of Zac Lloyd bring a change of luck for Newcastle mare Just Like Lisa in the opening event, the Tynan Kirrawee Maiden Handicap (1600m)? The 4-year-old has been placed in seven of fifteen starts. First up on this track on April 30 she ran on strongly late to finish second, and with Lloyd’s allowance the daughter of Choisir will only carry 53 ½kg.