Newcastle will come alive this Friday with the running of the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup.
Along with the time-honoured $300k staying feature, the G3 Cameron Handicap and the G3 Tibbie Stakes will provide excellent black-type support on the eight-race program.
We’ve taken a close look at the form and provided our top selections in each race below.
Race 1 - 1:00pm AEST
CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1850 METRES)
City Gold Ready (1) did enough in a stronger race in his Australian debut last start to suggest he’ll be hard to beat.
The Ryan & Alexiou-trained gelding was held up in the straight over 1500m here but found the line well once clear to finish 2.5 lengths fifth.
The New Zealand import will appreciate the drop in class and will find this a lot easier than the G1 New Zealand Derby and G2 Avondale Guineas that he contested last preparation.
The rise in distance looks ideal second-up.
1 Unit – City Gold Ready (1)
Race 2 - 1:35pm AEST
BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP (900 METRES)
Outishka (2) is a short course specialist having won five of eight starts over this trip and looks well placed in this contest.
The Scott Singleton-trained speedster gave them a galloping lesson last start when leading all the way over 950m at Moree for a dominant 3.8 length win.
He’s won two of four starts over the course and distance including three starts back when running down the leader to salute by just under a length.
Mitch Stapleford, who claims 3kg, will put the handlebars down and say, “catch me if you can.”
2 Units – Outishka (2)
Race 3 - 2:10pm AEST
F&M MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Peschiera (4) will appreciate the drop to Provincial level after placing in her first two starts this preparation at Canterbury.
The Team Hawkes mare couldn’t go with leader and eventual winner Harry’s Bar early but did work home strongly to reduce the margin and finish third by 2.2 lengths over 1250m.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and the rise to 1400m looks ideal at this point in her preparation.
The more expansive Newcastle track will be to her liking and she maps to get a great run.
1 Unit – Peschiera (4)
Race 4 - 2:50pm AEST
CG&E MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
Rolling Magic (4) returned in great order over 1250m here last start.
The Richard & Will Freedman-trained son of Per Incanto raced three-wide the trip but still finished off strongly to finish 1.5 lengths second.
The winner of that race ran well to finish just under two lengths from the winner in a BM72 Handicap on Wednesday at Canterbury.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and the rise in distance will suit.
Tommy Berry retains the ride and will give him every chance from the inside barrier.
1 Unit Each Way – Rolling Magic (4)
Race 5 - 3:25pm AEST
GROUP 3 TIBBIE STAKES (1400 METRES)
Roots (1) is thrown in at the weights under the race conditions, given she has 9 more handicapper rating points more than her closest rival.
The Chris Waller-trained mare resumes here on the back of a soft trial behind Mazu, Stefi Magnetica and Think About It and does her best work fresh, boasting three wins from eight first-up races.
James McDonald will reacquaint himself with the G2 Emancipation Stakes winner and has piloted her to victory on four occasions from eight starts.
If she can get clear air in the straight, she may take some stopping.
1 Units – Roots (1)
Race 6 - 4:05pm AEST
GROUP 3 NEWCASTLE GOLD CUP (2300 METRES)
Redstone Well (3) showed what he can do on a dry track last star when winning the Listed CTC Cup at Randwick.
The Neasham & Archibald-trained gelding controlled the 2400m contest in front beautifully before letting down powerfully to put many of the same horses he faces here to the sword for a four-length win.
He was a month between runs so will have come on nicely since the hit out.
Tommy Sherry will adopt similar tactics and look to run them ragged.
2 Units – Redstone Well (3)
Race 7 - 4:40pm AEST
GROUP 3 CAMERON HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
Here To Shock (1) returned in magnificent order last start over 1400m at Caulfield and only meeting an up-and-coming star stopped him from winning.
The Team Hayes-trained son of Shocking enjoyed a nice run on speed and ran down leader Bank Maur but was swamped on the line by Another Wil to finish a head second.
He’ll strip fitter second-up and did produce a cracking effort when having his second run back last preparation to win the G3 Ladbrokes BRC Sprint.
Nash Rawiller is a good booking for him and should be able to settle in a forward position.
1 Unit – Here To Shock (1)
Race 8 - 5:20pm AEST
5YO&UP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
Whatadilemma (12) offers good each way value in the final race of the day which looks wide open.
The Ryan & Alexiou-trained gelding let down powerfully first-up over a mile at Kembla Grange to miss the win by a nose.
He’ll have come on since that run and produced a super effort when second-up last preparation when bolting in by 2.8 lengths over 1600m here to break his maiden.
Tyler Schiller is a positive booking and should be able to find a spot in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Whatadilemma (12)