James Cummings’ three-year-old filly Gaylebeck finally broke through for her first Newcastle win at her fourth attempt at Saturday’s Newcastle race meeting. The clash between Godolphin’s home bred filly Gaylebeck and the Snowden stables two-year-old blueblood filly Satin And Silk in the Ryan Ansell Investment Solutions Maiden Plate (900m) was billed as the meetings highlight. Punters rallied behind both fillies with Gaylebeck going to the barriers as the $2.20 favourite, with Satin And Silk a $2.50 chance.
Satin And Silk began quickly from the rail’s barrier and led but was pressured by $101 chance I’m Brazilian on her outside. Meanwhile Gaylebeck enjoyed a lovely trail behind the leaders, and when Koby Jennings released the brakes in the straight she sprinted quickly. Satin And Silk tried to hold off the winner but to no avail, with Gaylebeck’s winning margin a lengthening 1 ¾ lengths. There was a further three lengths gap to third placegetter Starticus.
Another highlight of the meeting was the clash of exciting three-year-olds Major Beel and blueblood Hawaii Five Oh in the RAIS Super Class 1 Handicap (1300m). Major Beel, a Kiwi bred son of Savabeel had six starts in his first preparation for a win and four placings. He raced in New South Wales and Victoria, and the gelding is a promising stayer. Major Beel was an easing $3.50 second favourite on Saturday. Hawaii Five Oh, the younger brother of top sprinter Libertini was a well backed $2.00 favourite.
While Hawaii Five Oh enjoyed a charmed run from his soft draw nothing went right for Major Beel, which was trapped three wide with no cover from his outside gate. Rory Hutchings on Hawaii Five Oh angled for a run down the straight and he got into the clear inside the 200m. It was a titanic battle between the two with Major Beel prevailing by a Neck.
Sydney based jockey Louise Day was seen at her best to steer plunge horse Star Mission to victory in the Porter Hire Australia Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1500m). Backed from $3.00 into $1.95, the winner settled fourth on the rail and when Day could not secure clear running 200m out, she switched the mare back to the fence. She hit the front inside the 100m and held off the fast-finishing Global Encounter.
Hawkesbury based jockey’s Mitchell Bell and Jeff Penza both rode two winners at the meeting.