Recently turned 3yo Military Expert, an impressive winner at Newcastle on Saturday has the potential to develop into a Stakes horse according to trainer Annabel Neasham. The son of the late, great sire Redoute’s Choice contested the OAS Technology Group Maiden Handicap 1200m. After two fine performances on metropolitan tracks he was a $1.80 favourite on Saturday. Jockey Brodie Loy placed Military Expert in the box seat trailing the two leaders. The colt raced to the lead at the top of the straight and staved off a strong challenge from the Godolphin colt Retrieval to win by 3/4 of a length. Neasham was at Newcastle on Saturday and she predicted a bright future for Military Expert.
“I liked the way he fought when under siege in the straight, he is a tough horse – and it was only his third start. I will see how he recover’s and we may head to the Ming Dynasty. This horse may need some headgear to keep his mind on the job. Military Expert works like a Stakes horse at home and I am convinced he will get there in the future” Neasham said.
The Group 1 winning trainer said on Saturday that three of her stars will kick off their Spring campaigns in trials at Warwick Farm on Monday. Cox Plate favourite Zaaki, Mo’unga and Wisdom Of Water are the three stars.
Boom Scone apprentice Reece Jones took the riding honours for the day with a treble and two seconds. Jones’ three winners were Alegron(James Cummings) Saas Fee (Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou) and Son Of Sampson (Paul Perry).
The James Cummings trained three-year-old Alegron was the most impressive winner on the day. He was beaten 2 1/2 lengths by a Group 1 winner Converge in the Listed Fernhill in April before a spell. He was an odds-on favourite first up on Saturday and Alegron came from well back to win by 3.6 lengths running away. “He is a really nice horse but is green. This horse has so much potential and is a Group horse. The way Alegron quickened and put them away was special” Jones said.
Paul Perry trained two winners Patagonian and Son Of Sampson. Patagonian came from last to win running away with the Sharyn Scorse Memorial 900m. Son Of Sampson has been in great form and he toughed it out to win the final event the 1300m Benchmark 64 Handicap. Alycia Collett confirmed her liking for the Newcastle track with a double while Ryan/Alexiou also trained two winners.