The Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott trained blueblood Format pulled off a decent plunge for supporters when he narrowly defeated John O’Shea -Tom Charlton trained mare Ana Carolina in the opening event at the NJC’s race meeting on the Beaumont track on Monday. When bookmakers framed the markets for the 2110 metre TAB App Class 1 & Maiden Plate late last week, Format was a $13 chance, but he was backed into $3.90 at the weekend and heavy support on race day saw his starting price tumble into $3.00.
The 3-year-old colt, a son of champion England galloper and sire Frankel and Group 1 winning mare Nichita finished at the tail of the field in his previous start at Newcastle January 21 however, he had legitimate excuses. He was attempting a run on the inside of the leader and was badly cut out losing all momentum. Heavy rain fell prior to Monday’s event and the race was run on a soft 6 track and Format’s jockey Jean Van Overmeire was keen to lead on the colt and from his awkward barrier he crossed and led clearly until the 800 metres from home when he was challenged. The 3-year-old was headed by runner up Ana Carolina in the closing stages, but he fought back to win by a nose.
South African jockey Donovan Dillon who arrived in Australia to work for Arrowfield Stud in mid-2021 rode his first Newcastle winner on Monday. He was aboard the well backed Haze ($3.40) for Scone trainer Brett Cavanagh in the 1350 metre Davali Yearlings @ Classic Country Boosted Maiden. The 3-year-old started from the extreme outside barrier and Dillion rode him hard to eventually cross and lead with 1000 metres to run. Haze kicked away at the top of the straight and he bolted in by 4.34 lengths. Dillion had his first ride in South Africa in 2011 and he is a Group1 winning jockey with 466 winners in his career. He has ridden 15 winners in Australia, 14 on New South Wales country tracks.
The only Newcastle trainer to enjoy success on the day was David Atkins who prepared Lounerse to win the Advisor Collective Benchmark 66 Handicap (1350m). The mare had not enjoyed the best of luck in recent Newcastle starts and Atkins called on Aaron Bullock to ride Lounerse for the first time. The jockey allowed the well backed $2.50 favourite to settle near last before Bullock wound her up and steered her onto the clear. However, second favourite Pensativa had shot clear 100 metres out and looked to have the race won. Lounerse just kept coming and Bullock lifted her over the line for a narrow win. It was Lounerse’s fourth win in twelve starts and she is raced by the trainer and longtime client Matt Chidgey.
Newcastle based jockey Ash Morgan after a slow start to the season is closing in on the leaders in the New South Wales Jockey Premiership. After another win on the Beaumont track on Monday Morgan backing up form a double at Nowra the previous day steered the Muswellbrook trained Withstand to victory for trainer Jan Bowen in the 1200-meter A -Plus Contracting & Poly welding Class 1 Handicap. Morgan has won the New South Wales Jockeys Premiership twice and missed five weeks of riding earlier this season due to suspensions.
Following Monday’s meeting Morgan has ridden 60 winners in New South Wales this season eight behind leader Mick Heywood.
Racing continues on the Newcastle course proper next Saturday and Tuesday.