A handy field of sixteen stayers line up for a crack at the Newcastle Cup and ultimately, a shot at the G1 Metropolitan Handicap in little over two weeks time. Early favourite is Dana’s Best ($4.50) for Gai Waterhouse’s, with the trainer looking to make it back-to-back victories in the race after claiming victory with Glencadam Gold last year.
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1. IRONSTEIN – B Avdulla (12)
Went out over the odds last start in the Listed Premier’s Cup, his third run back from a spell, when second (beaten a head) to in-form Less Is More at $71.00. From a good draw, he was afforded every opportunity in the run but will have to do a bit more work from today’s awkward draw. Fourth up last prep finished fourth behind Shahwardi in the G2 Herbert Power (2400m) and is not to be dismissed lightly.
2. CRAFY IRNA – S Clipperton (3)
Didn’t mind this 6yo mare’s first up performance when closing well from the tail of the field in the G3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Warwick Farm before finding a good spot from a wide draw in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) but weakening in the run home to finish second to last behind the promising Hawkspur. Much better suited back to handicap conditions and has a more favourable draw today but only four wins from thirty-three starts and just the one beyond 2000m.
3. PEAL OF BELLS – J McDonald (10)
He won two in town for trainer Gwenda Markwell during the winter over 2120m and 3200m before a brief seven week let-up. Not much was expected from him upon his return with a big weight and wide gate in a BM 90 at Rosehill but he showed significant improvement at his next and most recent start, the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) where from the tail of the field, he finished well with eventual winner Wazn, running a neck second. He ran second to Glencadam Gold in this race last year after a similar effort in the Wyong Gold Cup. Will stay all day and any sting out of the track would improve his chances again.
4. WINNING GLORY – N Rawiller (15)
He was rewarded for some consistent efforts with an all-the-way win in a BM 90 (1800m) at his favourite track, Rosehill two starts ago and backed that up with another tenacious effort in front, holding on for third behind Less Is More and Ironstein in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) last start. Will need to get away cleanly if he’s to lead from the wide draw and whilst he’s in form, he is yet to win past 1900m.
5. GAZZA GURU – J Bowman (12)
A grand old campaigner, who has claimed third in this race for the past two years and now as a 9yo, returns for another tilt. After winning a Taree Quality of (2200m) under 58.5kgs, he ran third in the Wyong Gold Cup last week behind Wazn and Peal of Bells. Had his chance at Wyong and whilst he is honest, just always finds a few too good for him at this level.
6. LUCRIPETOUS – C Reith (14)
5yo by Pentire who finally looks as though he may be starting to deliver on the promise he’s always shown. He had only two wins and frustratingly, nine places from nineteen starts before winning his two starts in good style. He was too good or Agent Bauer in a BM 84 (2600m) before accounting for Travolta (2200) in a BM 80 a little of three weeks ago at Warwick Farm. The last two wins will serve him well, has no problem at the trip and at $7.50 represents good each-way value.
7. SAINT ENCOSTA – T Bell (7)
Won his first run in nine starts and almost a year when claiming a Doomben Open class race (2000m) two starts back, finishing well from the tail of the field. It was four weeks into his next and most recent start where again; he closed well to finish third behind Flying Home (beaten 2.5 lengths) over 2120m at Doomben under the steadier of 59kgs. Gets a nice weight drop here and if the speed is on, is capable of repeating his fourth placing in this race last year.
8. PRETTY PINS – J Moreira (13)
She finished fourth to Coup Ay Tee in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) before taking out a BM 85 (1600m) by a nose over the Great Snowman. Stepped up in distance again when competing in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) and did well form the tail of the field, given the way the race panned out and tracked played on the day, to finish three lengths ninth from winner Less Is More. Four of her five career wins have come on rain effected tracks and she hasn’t been over this trip since her 3yo days – would prefer to risk here.
9. YULALONA – T Clark (4)
Closing in on two years since this 6yo by Dubai Destination last won a race – the Summer Cup (2400m), December 2011. He did come close to breaking the drought with a head second to Mr. O’Ceirin in the Grafton Cup (at 30/1) before having every chance when lugging 59.5kgs and running third to Iggi Pop and Lucripetous in a BM 85 (1800m) at Rosehill. He then sat on the speed at his most recent start in the Wyong Cup and like others near to him in the run, weakened to run fifth behind Wazn, beaten close to six lengths. Better ridden with a sit and well weighted. Place chance.
10. DANA’S BEST – T Berry (5)
Progressive stayer who has won each of his last three starts. He dominated a BM 75 field by 3 ½ lengths at a mid-week Canterbury meeting two starts back before sitting on the speed and holding on for a head win over Ghost Protocol in a BM 80 (2400m). He gets in with a winnable weight and a good draw that will enable Berry to have him positioned to advantage throughout. Waterhouse won this race last year with Glencadam Gold who, at the time, was also a developing stayer.
11. GHOST PROTOCAL – J Collett (8)
Since arriving at the Paul Perry Stables from Europe last year, this 5yo has put in some indifferent performances in his seven Australian starts. The most recent was one of his better efforts when ¾ length second to Dana’s Best where from the inside draw, he got a good run home along the fence. On that effort, you’d concede him some chance but he’s produced poor runs after similar efforts and that makes him hard to have here with any confidence.
12. TENBY LADY – J Cassidy (6)
Started a short priced favourite in each of her last three starts but, albeit just, has let punters down by finishing second, third and second. She appeared to have her chance when a head second to Mendivil at Warwick Farm last week in a Restricted race over 2200m. A former European who has still only had a handful of Australian starts and whilst she’ll go on to win races, not sure on her recent efforts if this will be one of them.
13. AGENT BAUER – J Penza (11)
Has rolled along in each of his last three starts which include a comfortable 4 ½ length win over 2400m at Kembla Grange and at his last start, a solid third to Dana’s Best in a BM 80. Meets the winner 1.5kgs worse off here and will have to do a little bit of work early from his draw to obtain what should be, a hotly contested position.
14. MUIRFIELD – J Ford (9)
Mike Moroney trained galloper who has shown glimpses of staying ability in the past in some handy races but who more recently, just isn’t travelling like a possible winner of a G3 race. He finished second to last in a field of six at his most recent start behind Mendivil and Tenby Lady in a Restricted race over 2200m.
15. PRAECIDO – G Schofield (1)
We have to go back to March of last year – eighteen starts ago now to find this horse’s last win. He’s had five runs back this spell between 1500 – 2000m with his most recent effort a tenacious effort behind in-form Spurtonic in a BM 80 carrying 57kgs. From one, with a good weight drop of 4kgs and getting up to 2400m, he’s might be a bolter worth throwing into the multiples.
16. PLANET PURPLE – P Robl (2)
7yo who was in solid form during a winter preparation that resulted in two BM 80 races over 2400m and 2600m back in June. A seven week spell was followed by a good effort first up behind Acapela in a BM 85 (1600m) before getting too far back in a race dominated by the leader, Spurtonic and finishing eighth (beaten 5.4 lengths). Will be better for last start and probably run better than his current quote would suggest but, has had a dip at a few Group staying races in past and come up short.
OVERVIEW
Pace will be a good one with Agent Bauer, Winning Glory and Dana’s Best all going forward. Going with Peal of Bells here who is third up off a seven week break and whose last start in the Wyong Gold Cup, will top of him off nicely. No problems with the distance and he’ll appreciate the pace. Similarly for Lucripetous, a solid speed up front will play into his hands and now that he’s strung a few wins together, his capable of going on with it. Shouldn’t underestimate Dana’s Best who is an emerging stayer and produced similar lead-up form to that of last year’s winner and stable-mate Glencadam Gold however, just baulk at the price.
- PEAL OF BELLS
- LUCRIPETOUS
- DANA’S BEST
- YULALONA