Perfect weather conditions, quality horseflesh and Australia’s best jockeys attracted a big crowd to Newcastle Racecourse for last Friday’s 2018 Sharp Electronics Newcastle Gold Cup Day. With four Group 3 events on the eight-race program, Newcastle Cup Day boasts the finest days racing on a Provincial track in New South Wales. A summary of each race follows:
RACE 1- MACKA’S SAND & SOIL BENCHMARK 64 2300M
Darren Weir floated four horses to Newcastle for Cup Day and he struck gold early with the former German stayer Ocean Walzer. Raced by the hunter based Australian Bloodstock, the five-year-old only had his first run in this country in June. He overcame difficulties to win a Swan Hill maiden on August 20. Kerrin McEvoy settled Ocean Walzer six lengths off the leader before sprinting quickly in the straight. He held on to beat Red Dubawi by a long head with Chain Of Fools third.
RACE 2- SIMPLOT PARTNERS CLASS 2 1600M
Blueblood mare Girl Tuesday is a potential Group 1 horse and in her second race start cruised home by 1 ¾ lengths. Raced by John Singleton and trained by Chris Waller, Girl Tuesday created a huge impression on debut at Newcastle recently and she jumped from Maiden grade to a Class 2 and she won with ease. McEvoy let Girl Tuesday drift back and sat three wide before making his move near the turn and she drew away late. The mare is bred to be good as her sire Street Cry is Winx’s dad and her dam Tuesday Joy won four Group 1’s and more than $3 million.
RACE 3- NBN NEWS MAIDEN PLATE 1200M
Neruda the longest priced winner of the day finally broke through for his first win at $31. It was the Wyong gallopers tenth race start and the application of blinkers on Friday did the trick.
Jeff Penza took him to the front at barrier rise and he outgunned runner up Quick Nick which joined the winner on the home turn.
RACE 4- ADVANCED PEST CONTROL F&M MAIDEN PLATE- 1200M
Miss Einstein was on debut and she was impressive after being amongst the tail enders on the home turn. Jason Collett drove the winner up along the rail in the straight and she dashed clear for an impressive win.
A daughter of former Kiwi super stayer Dundeel, Miss Einstein will get much further than 1200.
RACE 5- HUNGERFORD HILL WINES- 3YO SPRING STAKES 1600M
A quinella to the powerful Godolphin stable in the first of the Group 3’s. Classy colt Aramayo ran up to his solid fourth in the Ming Dynasty when he came from second last at the 800 turn, to win by a length. He produced an exceptional turn of foot to run down stablemate Cloak and the colt is on target for the Spring Champion Stakes. It was a patient ride by Tye Angland and back to back Spring Stakes to the jockey and James Cummings.
RACE 6- YARRAMAN PARK TIBBIE STAKES- 1400M
A win for the Novocastrians as Kris Lees bonnie mare Princess Posh runs down the luckless favourite Savatiano to win by a length. Perfectly positioned by Glen Schofield seventh on the rail Princess Posh sprinted quickly at the 400 and won running away.
Savatiano was gallant in defeat after being forced to race three-deep throughout before dashing clear.
RACE 7- SHARP ELECTRONICS GROUP- NEWCASTLE GOLD CUP 2300M
Chris Waller won his third Newcastle Cup when former French stayer Carzoff completed the Wyong-Newcastle Cup double. Just as he had done at Wyong, Carzoff settled near the rear, but he is a strong stayer and after McEvoy put him in a gap he was first past the post.
Auvray was runner up a long neck away with Just Shine third.
RACE 8- AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK CAMERON HANDICAP 1500M
Central Coast jockey Tim Clark won his third Cameron in succession after Joe Prides New Tipperary rallied late to win the race by a length. New Tipperary has a very good second up record and after an average first up run he accounted for a quality field second up on Friday.
He will head to the Group 1 Epsom at the end of the month.