Front running six year old Dark Eyes can give co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott back to wins in the 2018 Group 3 $200,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Newcastle on Friday following Broadside’s win last year.
Dark Eyes will meet Carzoff 1kg better after finishing one length behind the Chris Waller trained gelding when second in the Listed $160,000 Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) at Wyong two weeks ago.
A another win by Carzoff will give Waller his third win in the Newcastle Gold Cup in the last four years after collecting the winning trophy with Beyond Thankful in 2015 and Sacred Master in 2016.
We have analysed every runner in the fourteen horse field and our 2018 Newcastle Gold Cup tips can be found below.
Auvray
Auvray has been lumped with the top weight of 59.5kg and that will make it hard for him to go one better than last year when second to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Broadside with only 54kg. The Richard Freedman trained Auvray will be stepping up to the 2300m of the Newcastle Gold Cup at his second run back following his first up fifth in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup over 1900m at Rosehill on August 25.
Destiny’s Kiss
Veteran stayer Destiny’s Kiss has been well beaten at his two runs back this campaign but could run into a minor placing if things go his way throughout the race. The Joe Pride trained Destiny’s Kiss is coming off a last start sixth in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m).
Carzoff
The Chris Waller trained Carzoff capped off some good Sydney winter form with a win in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup over 2100m at Wyong a fortnight ago. The six year old gets to carry the same weight and will be hard to beat again in the Newcastle Gold Cup.
First Crush
First Crush was rewarded for some consistent Queensland Winter Carnival form and went to Grafton to win the Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) but then never threatened when eighth in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (1900m) at Rosehill. The Chris Munce trained First Crush is better suited here and has each way claims.
Harper’s Choice
Harper’s Choice scored back to back wins at Rosehill in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) and in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) but then failed to fill a place when fifth in the Wyong Cup. Drops 2kg here but Brenton Avdulla will have to make his own luck from barrier thirteen. Each way.
Cismontane
Cismontane is the first of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s two runners in the Newcastle Gold Cup but is way out of form and has the outside barrier to contend with.
Dark Eyes
The front running Dark Eyes should get his own way in front from barrier one and will be hard to run down. Dark Eyes will go without the blinkers after finishing second to Carzoff in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup and has a good chance of giving Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bot back to back wins in the Newcastle Gold Cup after collecting the trophy last year with Broadside.
Vassal
The Chris Waller trained Vassal has failed to threaten at his last four starts and will find this no easier than his last start eighth in the 2200m BenchMark 90 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast.
Peribsen
Scratched
Grand Dreamer
The Darren Weir trained Grand Dreamer’s Melbourne form has been ordinary and place chances look best on his latest ninth over 2040m at The Valley on August 25.
Mongolian Wolf
Mongolian Wolf looks the best of the two Darren Weir trained runners with placings at three of his last four starts, his latest a third over 2250m in BenchMark 82 Handicap at Morphettville a fortnight ago. Mongolian Wolf will appreciate the 7kg drop in weight in the Newcastle Gold Cup and the five year old will get the run of the race from barrier two. One of the main chances.
Goathland
A substantial drop in weight will also help the chances of Goathland who will drop 4.5kg on his last start fourth in a 2000m BenchMark 88 Handicap at Randwick two weeks ago. Tommy Berry will have to make a quick decision after the jump whether to go forward and go back from barrier twelve but has each way claims if he can get some luck in running.
Just Shine
Just Shine has been struggling to find form at his last two outings, his latest a tenth in a 2000m BenchMark 88 Handicap at Randwick a fortnight ago.
Segenhoe
Segenhoe is not the roughest on his win two starts back over 2400m in a Benchmark 88 Handicap at Randwick on August 18 but then got run down under 61kg when third in a 2700m BenchMark 76 Handicap t Canterbury.