The feature race at Newcastle this Friday is the Newcastle Cup (2300m), a race which can be a guide towards The Metropolitan (2400m).
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Newcastle Cup.
2025 Newcastle Cup Runner Preview:
1. Mehzebeen: SCR
2. Wyclif: I am not surprised there has been an early push for Wyclif. Hasn’t set the world on fire in Melbourne this prep for Ciaron Maher. Now in Sydney, he trialled last week and loved the way he ran to/through the line under no real pressure. If he brings his best, he’s right in the mix.
3. Belvedere Boys: Belvedere Boys should appreciate a rise to 2300m after racing over 2000m in the Premiers Cup a few weeks back. He got off speed and chased nicely in the straight but was never beating Nellie Leylax. The rise in trip, I think, is okay, and has found positive form.
4. Royal Supremacy: Won the Wyong Cup Prelude and could have gone down that path but has been given a freshen up for this race. Tick over trial was a good piece of work and a firmer deck vs last start at Wyong is a tick. A threat for sure. But he’s very well found.
5. Don Diego De Vega: First up at 2300m…big effort if he can win fresh. But he does have residual fitness from the Grafton Cup triumph and if they want to, I think he’ll lead for fun and from there, he can control and take running down.
6. Trust In You: He did nice things in Sydney this time last year. First up hitout at NZ, and likely has eyes on The Metropolitan. Look for him to find the line.
7. Travolta: Somewhat of a sleepy ride from Zac at Randwick last time, conceding too much early ground to Changingoftheguard. More positive ride this time around, he’ll take beating.
8. Tajanis: SCR
9. Soul Of Spain: Soul Of Spain has been beating up camels but the way he has been doing it has been impressive and has earned a crack at Stakes grade. His latest win at Doomben was quite impressive, sitting off speed and he got better as the race went on. Good test here, but confident he measures up.
10. Indifference: Didn’t do a bad job in the Wyong Cup but he’s just not up to these.
11. So You Are: He is a nice stayer. But not at this level.
2025 Newcastle Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win/$40 Place Wyclif and $50 Win Soul Of Spain
Newcastle Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEHZEBEEN (NZ) | Chris Waller | Adam Hyeronimus | 2 | 58kg |
| 2 | WYCLIF (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Chad Schofield | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 3 | BELVEDERE BOYS | Matthew Dunn | Ashley Morgan | 5 | 56kg |
| 4 | ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 3 | 55.5kg |
| 5 | DON DIEGO DE VEGA (FR) | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Dylan Gibbons | 9 | 55kg |
| 6 | TRUST IN YOU (NZ) | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Regan Bayliss | 11 | 55kg |
| 7 | TRAVOLTA (GB) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 54.5kg |
| 8 | TAJANIS (IRE) | Chris Waller | Ms Alysha Collett | 8 | 54kg |
| 9 | SOUL OF SPAIN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Zac Lloyd | 1 | 54kg |
| 10 | INDIFFERENCE | Brett Cavanough | Braith Nock (a) | 10 | 54kg |
| 11 | SO YOU ARE | Stirling Osland | Ben Looker | 4 | 54kg |
Newcastle Cup Odds
2025 Newcastle Cup Speed Map
Can’t find a designated leader. Maybe Don Diego De Vega? Wyclif and Travolta can settle forward if need be in a race that does appear to lack early tempo so this could be an absolute crawl.
