Three-year-old filly Left Field will appreciate a massive drop-in class when she resumes from a spell in the Tassel Financial Planning F&M Maiden Plate (1250m) on the second day of the Newcastle Jockey Clubs Spring Racing Carnival on Saturday. The daughter of Deep Field had two starts for Mark Newnham during the Autumn, and she finished fourth, on the placegetter’s heels in both. On debut on the Kensington track in March she was beaten 2.4 lengths by Kimochi. The filly ran on well, and Kimochi has been placed in three Group 2 events since. Mark Newham is now training in Hong Kong and Left Field resumes with Brad Widdup her trainer. She has performed well in two recent trials, and she has barrier four and Alysha Collett to ride.
Lightly raced five-year-old mare Miss Lenorr, with the 3-kilogram claim for Rebecca Bronett Prag will be hard to beat in the Charlestown Square Ladies Day Cup (1400m). She closed off nicely when beaten 2.5 lengths over 1200m on this track first up on August 29, and she has won second up. Miss Lenorr had very good metropolitan form last preparation which included a second placing, a head from the winner in a Randwick Benchmark 72 on Boxing Day. On January 11 the mare came from last at the top of the straight when placed at Warwick Farm. The trip is ideal second up and the long straight is another positive.
Andrew Gibbons teams up with Kris Lees in the 900m Reward Hospitality Provincial Handicap and his mount Zanzibar Gem will be hard to hold out. The mare is first up, races well fresh and has a good turn of foot over a short course. Last preparation Zanzibar Gem won a Canterbury Mares Benchmark 72, and she was a close third in a similar race at Warwick Farm.
Locally trained colt Drums Of War can overcome a wide draw and atone for a close second on debut on August 29 when the three-year-old steps out in the Waterford Accountants Midway Maiden Plate (900m). He has genuine speed and after winning a Muswellbrook trial by 4.34 lengths he was a $2.30 favourite on debut over this course, and after leading was run down late.
Scone trainer Brett Cavanagh rarely ventures to Newcastle however the $60,000 Red Funnel Super Maiden Plate looks a nice race for Starry Jack, a new addition to the Scone stables. The 4-year-old was placed at Warwick Farm and Gosford earlier this year when trained by Clarry Connors. Starry Jack won a recent Scone barrier trial, and he has speed and the coveted rails barrier.
Ladies Day, on the second day of the NJC’s Spring Racing Carnival is always a popular race day with the Fashions On The Field a highlight. More than 400 racegoers have booked in the Charlestown Square Marquee.