Undefeated Mugatoo
Newcastle, G3 Sharp Electronics Group Newcastle Gold Cup, $200,000, 2300m
Undefeated from two starts so far this spring, Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigtor {USA}) is the one to beat. He is stepping up in trip again, this time from 1900 metres to 2300 metres but that shouldn’t be a problem for him, and he has drawn perfectly with barrier seven. He is also giving up a significant amount of weight to the rest of the field but his class should still get him over the line.
Hush Writer (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) finished third in the Listed Wyong Cup first-up and will have taken a lot of benefit from that run, he has 3kgs less than Mugatoo but still 1.5kg to 2kg more than the rest of the field and has drawn wide with barrier 11.
The Lord Mayer (NZ) (Rock ’N’ Pop) was second in the Wyong Cup and was only beaten by 0.1l. He has been up racing all throughout the winter so he is rock hard fit and shouldn’t have to settle too far back in the run from barrier two.
The Candy Man can
Newcastle, G3 Australian Bloodstock Cameron H., $160,000, 1500m
Special Reward (Demerit) is on the back-up from last Saturday’s G2 Theo Marks S. where he finished fourth. He was trapped behind runners in the straight in that race and by the time he found clear air, it was too late. He still ran on well and this race is much easier than the Theo Marks.
Cult favourite The Candy Man (Casino Prince) will make his debut for Peter and Paul Snowden after being transferred from Barry Baldwin in Queensland. He was huge in his first-up run where he won despite giving up a significant amount of weight to the rest of the field and he is an honest gelding who rarely puts in a bad run.
The Candy Man
The Team Hawkes-trained Rock (Pierro) has a good second-up record and was very good behind Dreamforce (Fastnet Rock) in the G2 Tramway S. first-up. He settled well back in the field and was caught behind horses during the straight, but once he found clear air he ran home well.
Quackerjack (Not A Single Doubt) finished 14th behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) first-up in the Winx S., but has since returned to the trials and won over 1200 metres. Second-up last prep he ran fourth in the G2 Ajax S.
Go Asiago
Newcastle, G3 Yarraman Park Tibbie S., $160,000, 1400m
Wandabaa (Wandjina) and All Saints’ Eve (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) are sharing favouritism for this race and are coming in from two completely different form lines.
The Kris Lees-trained Wanadaa has been in great form this campaign and was last seen finishing second in the Listed Mona Lisa S. She has been racing all through the winter so she is as fit as they come but she has never won over 1400 metres.
All Saints’ Eve comes into the race off the back of a win over 1400 metres at Randwick. She is second-up but this is a big jump in grade. Mona Lisa winner Asiago (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) is also second-up here and was very impressive last start when she flew home in the straight to win.
