The first of four major races over two big days of racing at Newcastle this Wednesday and Thursday, is for the three year olds over a mile. Thirteen colts and geldings plus two fillies make for a capacity field and an open betting affair. Early favourite is Stamina at $5.00, just in advance of a group of seven competitors priced between $6 and $10.00.
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1. FUERZA – J Cassidy (1)
The son of Snippetson, who was Group 1 (2ndChampagne Stakes to Guelph) and Group 2 (third to Sidestep in the Pago Pago) placed in his two year old season, finally cracked it for a win when successful in a Newcastle Maiden (1600m) just over a week ago at start number 10. That win followed an even effort behind War and Drago in the G3 Up and Coming Stakes (1300m) where after settling just off the speed, he ran sixth (beaten 4.1 lengths). His last start, albeit in Maiden class, would’ve be a good hit-out for here and judging by his 2yo efforts, is more than capable of taking this out.
2. VILANOVA – J Bowman (8)
Put together three very good runs during the Brisbane Winter for trainer Chris Waller including a second to Zoustar in the G2 Sire’s Produce Stakes, indicating that he’d be a threat in the good races this spring. However, in two runs back, the son of Commands has been plain finishing third (had every chance and beaten 2 ¾) to War in the Up and Coming before getting back in a race dominated by the leader in the G3 Ming Dynasty (finished tenth, beaten 6.2 lengths). Better horse than his last start and any give in the track would be a bonus.
3. STAMINA – J Parr (4)
Sebring colt who has been very good in four runs since resuming from a spell in July. Ridden well by Parr last start to save ground behind leaders before getting a late split and finishing hard to claim a BM 75 (1400m) over Bull Point (ran third in the Golden Rose on Saturday). He continues to improve every time he steps on the track for Trainer Peter Moody and from his draw, will be placed to advantage throughout.
4. HOOKED – J Moreira (10)
A back-maker from the Patinack Farm operation who was good without winning, in some of the leading 2yo races over the Brisbane Carnival. After finishing 3 ¼ lengths from Romantic Touch in the G1 JJ Atkins, the son of Casino Prince was given a brief let-up before returning in good style to claim fourth behind Aussies Love Sport in the G3 Ming Dynasty. Straight to the mile second up is of some concern but if ready, the pace and big Newcastle circuit will be in his favour.
5. DOWDSTOWN CHARLIE – (15)
He resumed from a six week break with a pleasing effort to run third behind Eurozone in the Listed Rosebud before doing his best work late when fifth (beaten 3.2 lengths) behind War in the Up and Coming Stakes. Got back in a race dominated by the leader when ninth (beaten 4.1 lengths) behind Aussies Love Sport at his last start in the G3 Ming Dynasty. Will no doubt get back again from his outside gate and need to produce his best to overcome that draw.
6. EQUATOR – N Rawiller (6)
At only his third race-start, this son of Northern Meteor ran a tremendous third to Guelph in the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in April. Since that effort, he has finished ninth (beaten 4.4) behind Va Pensiero three weeks ago in the G3 Run To the Roses (1200m). Jumps straight to a mile here and will no doubt, being from the Waterhouse yard, roll forward. Despite an average return, has been kept very safe in the markets at
7. SAVVY NATURE – J McDonald (7)
Impressive winner at Kembla Maiden on debut by 4 ½ lengths for trainer John O’Shea back in May before running into the smart Romantic Touch at his next start and finishing second (beaten 7.5 lengths). Given a break after that run and returned with a close up third behind Stamina and Bull Point in a BM 75 (1400m). Bull Point has franked that form and he can only be fitter for the run.
8. HAPPY CLAPPER – B Shinn (3)
Chased valiantly from mid-field when second to Aussies Love Sport in a BM 75 (1400m) before getting back and wide, not the place to be given the way the track played on the day, and finishing well to run fourth (beaten 1.2 lengths) behind Stamina. Last two runs have been good and should get an easier run here from three. Comes out of a race that had several promising types in it and his run was as good as any of them.
9. DARCI MAGIC – T Huet (11)
He made his debut at Warwick Farm three starts back for trainer Bede Murray before stepping at on his home-track of Kembla and claiming a 1 ¼ length win in Maiden Class. Had his chance in the run at his latest start when fourth (beaten less than a length) to Mr Jackman in BM 65 at Wyong (1350m) Would think he needs to improve too much on that effort to be winning here.
10. ROCKABILL – T Berry (5)
A very well bred Fastnet Rock colt from the Waterhouse yard who has one win from one start. That come just over three weeks ago when from midfield, he arrived right on the line to record a nose win in a Kembla Maiden (1200m). He certainly gave the impression in his win that further will suit and whilst this is a huge leap in grade, respect the stable’s decision to enter him here.
11. EAGLE SHAMAN – (12)
Redoute’s Choice colt out of well performed and speedy mare Red Hot Mama who, from his four starts thus far, has a win in a Scone Maiden as his highlight. That win came three starts back and his two subsequent efforts, fourth at Kembla and fifth in a restricted race at Canterbury a fortnight ago, would suggest he’ll struggle at this level.
12. SINGING FLAME – B Avdulla (2)
A Song of Tara colt who lines up for start number six and who is still searching for that first win. He came close three starts back when, on a slow track at Hawkesbury, he finished a neck second to Electric Dee Jay in a Maiden over 1300m. Since then he’s finished midfield in a Warwick Farm maiden before, as a 200/1 shot, running sixth (beaten 3 lengths) in the Ming Dynasty behind Aussies Love Sport. Needs some sting out of the track to be considered a chance here.
13. DIAMONDROCKER – (14)
A colt prepared by Team Hawkes who made his debut in a Warwick Farm maiden three weeks ago. From midfield on the turn, the well bred Fastnet Rock colt hit the line in encouraging style to claim fourth (beaten 3.6 length) behind Countryman. Nice enough debut but there are easier races than this for him at his stage of his career.
14. WORDPLAY – P Robl (9)
Two starts for trainer Anthony Cummings have resulted in a neck second on debut to Killcareless in a Warwick Farm maiden before returning to the same track to record a nose win over an unlucky Define in a fillies Maiden. She’s got her share of ability but up against the boys, she’ll need to find an extra few lengths on her last start.
15. EUTERPE – N Berry (13)
Paul Messara representative that from seven starts, can only claim a Tamworth Maiden, which came two starts ago when she resumed from a twenty-three week spell, as her highlight. She got back and never threatened at her most recent start, here at Newcastle when ninth of twelve in a Class Two over (1400m). Not on that effort.
OVERVIEW
Pace should be genuine with a big field and few Waterhouse runners rolling forward. Like each of the horses that are coming out of the BM 75 race at Rosehill, they being Stamina (1st) Happy Clapper (4th) and Savvy Nature (3rd) That form was franked by Bull Point wonderful effort in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Rose. Each of the horses are still on the way up and give the impression that a mile will be very much to their liking. Going with Hooked as the next best who did very well in QLD behind some very smart types. His return effort in the Ming Dynasty indicates he’s come back in very good order and think the way this race will be run, will play into his hands.
- HAPPY CLAPPER
- STAMINA
- SAVVY NATURE
- HOOKED
