Having been burned by him in the recent Wyong Gold Cup, bookmakers aren’t taking any chances with the Chris Waller trained Multilateral in Thursday’s Newcastle Cup, setting him as the $4.40 favourite early. The Wyong victory was the first feature win for the 6yo since he joined Waller’s stables from Europe in 2012. He’ll be one of three runners Waller has entered with Brigantin ($17.00) and Secessio ($10.00) legitimate chances as well despite their generous odds. Gai Waterhouse has enjoyed plenty of success in the Newcastle Cup in the past, Glencadam Gold, Stratofortress, Bianca – and will be relying on her sole representative Travolta ($10.00), to keep the record rolling on here. Local trainer Kris Lees has three entered in an attempt to win his home-town cup with another imported stayer Ay No Digas the best of hopes according to the market at $11.00.
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1. DESTINY’S KISS – J Parr (1) 59kgs
Doing his best work late when off a seven week break, he finished fifth (1.1 lengths) behind Mr. Chard in the Rowley Mile before getting too far back in the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) and running on steadily to cross line in sixth spot, 5.1 lengths behind Multilateral. Never far away in races such as this and the hit-out last start, which saw him jump from a mile to 2100m, should have him primed now.
Odds: $11.00
2. TRAVOLTA – T Berry (5) 58.5kgs
Freshened up after a solid fourth in July’s Grafton Cup behind stable-mate Queenstown and returned to run sixth (1.2 lengths) in the Listed Rowley Mile last month. Led in the Rowley and stuck on well enough first up on a slow track before getting back in the Wyong Gold Cup at his most recent start and running eighth (6.1 lengths) to Multilateral. Will be ridden forward here from a good draw and his record at this distance range is very solid.
Odds: $13.00
3. BRIGANTIN – G Schofield (2) 58kgs
Hasn’t enjoyed the wet tracks in two starts back from a spell, running last of ten in the Rowley mile and after settling in a forward position, weakening in the run home to run seventh (5.7 lengths) in the Wyong Gold Cup. Best efforts come on a dry tracks with the two most recent runs on firmer ground resulting in a neck second to Midsummer Sun in the Gosford Cup (2100m) and a close up sixth (2.2 lengths) to Entirely Platinum in the G3 Sky High (1900m). A dry track and taking a sit, which he’ll be able to achieve from a good draw, could see a sharp improvement.
Odds: $17.00
4. SECESSIO – J Bowman (14) 57kgs
Only fair in the run home off a five week break when second to last (6.5 lengths) to Hoylonny in a BM 95 (1800m) before, from a wide draw, pushing forward and finding an on-pace position in the Wyong Gold Cup. Did well to stick on in the run home and finish third (1.9 lengths) to stable-mate Multilateral. He was strong in finishing second to Queenstown in the Grafton Cup (2300m) earlier this year and although weighted at his best for this, his first attempt at a Group race.
Odds: $10.00
5. TUPAC AMARU – K McEvoy (10) 57kgs
Dour type of stayer whose two starts back from a spell, both over unsuitable distances, have resulted in him finishing at or with, the tail end of the field. Settled midfield from an inside draw last start in the Premier’s Cup (1800m) and wasn’t able to improve that position, running ninth (7.8 lengths) behind Greatwood. Ran a good second in last year’s Australian Derby (2400m) to Criterion but should find the older and more seasoned stayers too strong here.
Odds: $26.00
6. WISH COME TRUE – B Shinn (15) 57kgs
Former Italian galloper who improved with each of his first four runs in Australia which culminated in a head second to The Inventor in the G3 Tatt’s Cup (2200m) during the Brisbane carnival. Returned form that run with a pleasing fourth (3.6 lengths) in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) three weeks ago, finishing well from the midfield. Will derive plenty of benefit from that run and the third placed horse from the Premier’s Cup, He’s Your Man, won well last week. Still to prove himself in Australia at this level but is heading in the right direction. Pity the draw is a shocker.
Odds: $6.50
7. MULTILATERAL – J Cassidy (7) 56kgs
Well supported and took his overall record to seven wins form just twenty-two starts, when claiming his first feature win in last fortnight’s Wyong Gold Cup (2100m). The 6yo grey enjoyed the soft conditions to move into the racing strongly rounding the Wyong turn and pinched the winning break early in the straight, defeating the fast finishing Canny Ballad by a long neck. Goes up another step here and rises another 2kg in weight but, can’t be dismissed lightly, especially if track is soft.
Odds: $4.40
8. CANNY BALLAD – K O’Hara (11) 55kgs
Didn’t have much luck in each of his first three runs back from a spell, slow pace, heavy track, wide gates, meant that his from on paper didn’t appeal. Had more favourable conditions last start though in the Wyong Gold Cup, a good draw, solid pace and stepping out to 2100m, saw a sharp improvement from the Joe Pride trained galloper who finished hard to run a long neck second to Multilateral. He meets that horse a kilo better here and each of his two starts over a distance have been good, the other resulting in him taking out the Albury Gold Cup. Will be finishing hard.
Odds: $8.00
9. DISCLAIMER – J Collett (6) 54kgs
Former import who returned for his second local preparation with an encouraging fourth (3 lengths) behind He’s Your Man in the Winter Challenge Stakes (1500m). Started 3/1 off that run when lining up in the BM 85 (1800m) at his following start but let punters down, dropping out form an on-pace position form the turn to run a disappointing last of ten. Only held his ground in the Wyong Gold Cup at his only run since (fifth, 3.7 lengths) on a slow track and hard to take him with any confidence off of his last two outings.
Odds: $11.00
10. ORIENTAL LADY – B Avdulla (12) 54kgs
Made it three straight wins, from only five Australian starts, with a tough nose win over Saigon Tea in a BM 85 (2400m) at the end of July, before not appreciating the heavy conditions a month later when running eighth (7.2 lengths) in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m). Fitter for that run and a drier track will also be beneficial however, this is a tough race and a harder than what she has been competing in thus far.
Odds: $15.00
11. SLIVOVITZ – A Gibbons (3) 54kgs
Produced a big run circling the field from near last on a wet track to win the Taree Cup (2000m) two starts back before battling away, again on a heavy track, in a BM 85 (2000m) at his only run since, finishing fourth of six (6.1 lengths) as the 13/4 favourite to World Wide. Going well in weaker races and would expect him to find at least a couple too good for him here.
Odds: $26.00
12. AMBIVALENT – (3) 54kgs
Was afforded a beautiful run from the inside gate last start in a BM 75 (2000m), tracking up behind the leaders before getting of the leader’s back and finishing a shade too strong for Zazparella, winning by a head. Got the right run last start but has drawn wider here and faces much tougher opposition.
Odds: $26.00
13. AY NO DIGAS – J McDonald (8) 54kgs
He had to dig deep as the 13/8 favourite to record a win in a BM 70 (2200m) at Warwick Farm in late July, the second victory from his third local start for the imported galloper. His only starts since saw him line up in a BM 80 (2400m) where he again started a well supported 4/1, and move into the race strongly from the 600m however, first up in two months, on a heavy track, he failed to improve his position and stuck on four fourth behind Georgey Aeroplane. Firming footing will see a good improvement here and despite the horror draw, represents the best chance for local trainer Kris Lees to win his home-town Cup.
Odds: $11.00
14. KHALID – T Heut (13) 54kgs
The German import recorded his first Australian win two starts back, at his seventh local start, by railing home from a midfield position to defeat Thousand Carat by a head in a Restricted (1800m) race at Kensington. He was home steadily again at his next start, a BM 80 (2400m) running third to Georgey Aeroplane on a heavy track. Will find the combination of the step up in class and the wide draw too much of an obstacle to overcome.
Odds: $21.00
15. SAMSILI – R Thompson (4) 54kgs
Won two of his last three starts but with the both being lowly rated races at Gosford and Coffs Harbour respectively; he will find this much too tough – especially from the widest gate.
Odds: $67.00
RACE OVERVIEW
Pace should be pretty good here and it’ll be a real stayer test with Travolta setting the pace. Multilateral was good last start in winning the Wyong Cup but this is tougher again and at this current price, happy to shop around him with some value on offer in an open race. Canny Ballad hasn’t ventured past 2000m before but the way he hit the line in each of 2000m races – the Albury Gold Cup and Wyong Gold Cup, would suggest he’ll run it right out. From gate eight, O’Hara should find a nice spot mid-field before finding the back of one going forward rounding the turn.
With the track drying out – it was upgraded to a Dead 5 on Tuesday afternoon, we could see some sharp improvement here from two at odds – Travolta ($13.00) and Brigantin ($17.00), both who have resumed from spell with two runs on slow graded tracks. Travolta is always competitive in races such as this and Brigantin’s two efforts over this trip on firm ground in the past have been good enough to warrant a close look at the $17.00. As always, a tough Newcastle Cup.
- CANNY BALLAD
- BRIGANTIN
- TRAVOLTA
- MULTILATERAL
