A full field of sixteen stayers will line up in the 2020 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup at Newcastle on Friday.
The final field also includes one emergency, Nothing Too Hard.
Last year’s winner Hush Writer will be looking for back to back victories in the $200,000 2300m staying contest while 2018 winner Carzoff will also be chasing a second win in the Newcastle Gold Cup.
Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has a strong hand to secure a home town victory with four runners, headed up by the in-form Mugatoo along with Big Duke, Attention Run and Aliferous.
We have analysed the entire 2020 Newcastle Gold Cup field and our complete tips can be found below!
Mugatoo
Mugatoo was quick to find the winner’s stall this campaign with a first up win in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on July 25 and then made it two wins on the trot with his win in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago.
The step up to the 2300m of the Newcastle Gold Cup looks ideal third up and he will strip as one of the top chances.
Hush Writer
Hush Writer will be chasing back to back Newcastle Gold Cup wins but has been struggling to find his best form of late.
Hush Writer has had one run back from a spell for a first up third in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at Wyong a fortnight ago but will have to improve rapidly to take the winning trophy back home again.
Azuro
Azuro was always well back when a first up seventh in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago and is yet to win second up from four attempts.
Carzoff
Carzoff was the winner of the Newcastle Gold Cup two years but has only won one race since, although he was been placed on several occasions in weaker company.
Carzoff has been consistent through the Winter and early Spring with four placings before his last start eighth in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago and this is no easier.
Sir Charles Road
Kiwi stayer Sir Charles Road has been well beaten at his last two runs at Randwick and Rosehill and would have to make rapid improvement to be a threat here.
Big Duke
Big Duke is one of the veterans in the Newcastle Gold Cup field and it looks like his best days are behind him.
The nine year old did show that he wants to be competitive with a first up fourth in the 1800m Premier’s Cup Prelude on August 15 but will find it tougher here.
Norway
Norway has to improve many lengths to be a threat in the Newcastle Gold Cup on his last start twelfth in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago.
Paths Of Glory
Paths Of Glory is chasing a hat trick after wins in a 1800m BernchMark 94 Handicap on the Kensington Track at Randwick and a win in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at Wyong.
Working through his grades but will still have to go up a notch to be competitive here but has each way claims.
The Lord Mayor
The Lord Mayor has solid form for a race like this and has to be considered on his last start second in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at Wyong a fortnight ago.
Grey Lion
Grey Lion is another one getting long in the tooth and it is hard to see him figuring the finish in his last start eleventh in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago.
Herengawe
Herengawe ran a much improved race at huge odds when third last start in the Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m) at Rosehill three weeks ago and repeat performance could see him pick up some minor prizemoney again.
Attention Run
Attention Run is fitter for two runs back from a spell but is yet to win beyond 1850m.
Attention Run was always back in the field last start when fifth in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) at Wyong a fortnight ago and will find this opposition tougher.
Sweet Thomas
Sweet Thomas had mixed form during the Winter but did get to win the Stayer’s Cup (3200m) at Rosehill and was then given a short break after finishing fifth in a 2800m Handicap at Flemington July 18.
The 2300m will suit and is not the worst.
Aliferous
Aliferous has finished third at his last three starts at Randwick, Eagle Farm and Doomben and is stepping up in grade and distance following his last start third in a 2030m Doomben Handicap last Saturday.
Facing tougher opposition in the Newcastle Gold Cup.
Zacada
Zacada is way out of his class and failed to beat runner home last start when tenth in an 1800m Rosehill Bdenchmark 78 Handicap last Saturday.
The Getaway
The Getaway looks out of his depth here coming off a last start ninth in the 2100m Tuncurry – Forster XXXX Gold Cup at Tuncurry last Friday.
Nothing Too Hard
Nothing Too Hard is still eligible for restricted class and will struggle here.
Nothing Too Hard is coming off a last start fourth in the 2100m Tuncurry – Forster XXXX Gold Cup at Tuncurry last Friday.
Newcastle Cup Tip
1 Mugatoo at $2.15
