Three black-type races are set to be run and won at Newcastle on Friday, including the time-honoured Newcastle Gold Cup between the stayers.
The Gold Cup has always been an ideal lead-up into The Metropolitan and the Epsom Handicap, and we’ve previewed every race on the card below.
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Race 1 – Rarity Wholesale 3Y&4YO BM68 Handicap (1600m)
Communist won his maiden two back at Hawkesbury and was far from disgraced at Kensington a few weeks ago sticking on well for fourth.
He’s drawn to get a dream run in transit along the rail, while the booking of James McDonald back in the saddle is a big plus.
He did find a flat spot in the final stages last time out, but out to the mile now with fitness on his side looks ideal.
Race 2 – Kloster Motor Group F&M Maiden Handicap (1400m)
A Lot More Love looks well-placed to make amends on her unplaced effort at Hawkesbury last time out.
The Sebring filly finished a length second after doing plenty of work in the run, overcoming a three-wide position without cover to find a good spot down the straight.
She just lacked the dash in the final stages, but with a little more fitness on her side, she should be right in this with the class of Brenton Avdulla now in the saddle.
Race 3 – Hunter Valley Premium Meats CG&E Maiden Handicap (1400m)
Makalu gets another chance to shed the maiden tag after being gunned down right before the post over 1300m here last start.
Annabel Neasham’s colt raced on pace and found the front in the run home, but was simply beaten by a smart horse that had impressed at the trials.
This is an open race, but operating from an ideal draw, a more patient ride should see him in the mix.
Race 4 – New Era Technology Hurricane Handicap (900m)
Ebhaar almost picks himself coming off an impressive win at Warwick Farm in similar conditions.
The lightly raced three-year-old landed just off the pace and responded to a late challenge to get up and win narrowly on the line.
There’s still improvement to come considering that was only his second run this prep, and another wet track should be to his liking given he cut through the going quite well last time out.
Race 5 – GTS Lawnpride Australia Class 1 Maiden Plate (1850m)
Very open race, but the favourite Left Reeling does look hard to beat coming off a comfortable maiden win at Scone in a similar class.
The Dundeel mare stalked the pace and unleashed with an impressive turn of foot at the top of the straight, a performance that suggested she’ll handle further now stepping up from the mile.
She’s the found money in all three starts on soft going, and I think we’ll see her take a similar run in transit with James McDonald operating from a low draw.
Race 6 – Sharp Office Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m)
Mankayan brings winning form with him into the Newcastle Cup having won three from four this prep.
The Maher and Eustace-trained import has been all class so far down in Melbourne, most recently working home late to score at The Valley after sitting off the speed.
Out to 2300m looks no issue off that effort and the draw only strengthens his claims. He’s done some of his best racing on rain-affected tracks and this looks a nice race for him with the Cup’s in mind later in the spring.
Race 7 – Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap (1500m)
Special Reward stands out here at decent odds.
This is a big step back in class for Kris Lees’ old boy coming off a respectable effort when fifth in a Group 3 at Randwick last month.
Rain-affected tracks is his go in life, and I think we’ll see him stalk the pace here with Glyn Schofield retaining the ride.
Race 8 – Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes (1400m)
Katalin is a promising mare out of the Godolphin yard that is well-deserving of another win.
She was unlucky not to score at Wyong a few weeks ago in the Mona Lisa after making up big ground in the finish, an eye-catching run that suggests 1400m will suit at this stage of her prep.
The Medaglia d’Oro six-year-old has won twice over this journey already and so as long as J-Mac can offset the awkward gate, I can’t find any reason why she won’t add to that record.
