The recently formed Arrowfield Studs training partnership of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich put two gallopers on the float from Scone to Newcastle on Saturday and went home with two winners. All eyes were on the Arrowfield blueblood Genzano, an odds-on favourite in the opening event, the Elders 3YO Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1500m). The filly has untapped talent, and she was making the transition from a Scone maiden in which she bolted in into Provincial class. A granddaughter of multiple Group 1 winner Ortensia, Genzano raced keenly outside the leader on Saturday, but was strong to the line. The winner, a daughter of Japanese sire Maurice is an outstanding prospect with only three runs under her belt and she will get better with racing.
Another Arrowfield blueblood The Hungarian, a son of Snitzel and good Group performer Pretty Pins carried 62 ½ kilograms to victory in the Huxley Hill Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m). It was the first of a winning double for Aaron Bullock who allowed the five-year-old to settle third last in the field of ten. The Hungarian started to improve around the field from the 700m and he fought hard down the straight to win by the narrowest of margins. It was the geldings fifth win from ten starts and Bullock’s 39th winner for the current season.
Gosford sprinter Sharkim took advantage of his speed and the rails barrier to lead all the way with Bullock aboard in the Hunt Hospitality Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (900m). Bullock will marry fellow jockey Amelia Denby this coming Thursday.
Despite a huge betting drift, the Michael Freedman trained Panic gave lie to his disappointing last start Newcastle performance by winning the ACG Class 1 Handicap (1300m). The Kiwi bred three-year-old won easily at Nowra on debut in September followed by a strong finishing third on the Kensington track. Last start Panic was an odds-on favourite at Newcastle on October 17 and after leading he folded up to finish fifth. Keagan Latham rode the winner on Saturday, and he settled him third on the rail before steering Panic around the leader halfway down the straight.
Local trainer Nathan Doyle had a successful day preparing Salisano to win at Rosehill and at Newcastle his four-year-old Cosmic Field won the First National Maitland “Maitland” Cup Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1500m). Worse than midfield at the 1200m Mitchell Bell made his run on the winner down the outside of the field to win running away. Doyle has trained 23 winners already this season.
The Paul Perry stables run of success continued when three-year-old filly Willingale came with a late run to win the Paterson Tavern Super Maiden Plate (900m). She was narrowly beaten on this track last start, and she now has a win and two placings from four starts.
Annabel Neasham’s four-year-old Smart Action atoned for a close fourth on debut at Hawkesbury recently when he won the Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Maiden Handicap (1300m).
The course proper now has a two week break before The Hunter race day. All the function areas are fully booked for the Newcastle Jockey Clubs feature race meeting of the year on November 18.