The Chris Waller-trained Lucripetous can continue on his winning ways when contesting Thursday's Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
Photo by Racing and Sports
Lucripetous is finally beginning to realise his potential and once again rewarded the patience of connections at Warwick Farm last start in a Benchmark 90 over 2200m on August 24.
The Pentire gelding didn’t have an ideal run in transit, caught wide and subsequently ridden more forward than he prefers but the five-year-old still prevailed and yielded a new master Timeform rating of 103 in the process.
Connections immediately flagged the Newcastle Gold Cup as the next target for Lucripetous who appears to get a race to suit on Thursday.
With 13 runners remaining post scratchings, Lucripetous is a main beneficiary of the compressed weights scale evidenced when looking at the line up.
Those below the John Thompson-trained Saint Encosta sit outside of the handicap with Lucripetous nicely positioned just above the limit weight with 55kg.
When looking at how the race will likely map, Lucripetous should get the event made to order.
The Newcastle Cup should be run at a solid clip with any one of Danas Best, Winning Glory, Tenby Lady and Agent Bauer capable of setting the tempo.
It could see the capacity field stretched out early on enabling Lucripetous to find cover from his awkward draw.
Likely settling worse than midfield, Lucripetous will have the final shot at them, peeling deep around the turn and charging home down a Newcastle straight which at that point of a two day carnival should be favouring swoopers.
His current each way quote does appeal and certainly looks the best wagering option in the Newcastle Gold Cup.
The main query is the fact it will be 26 days since Lucripetous won his last start at Warwick Farm which does raise queries regarding fitness, however minor.
Fortunately, Lucripetous is under the care of one of Australia’s most astute horsemen at present in Chris Waller not to mention the fact he is proven off a let up.
Earlier this prep, Lucripetous finished second at Rosehill 23 days between runs rising from 1600m to 1900m in some testing conditions.
Consecutive seconds over 1800m either side of a six week break during autumn 2012 is another case in point.
Danas Best currently holds favouritism and warrants plenty of respect as he searches for a fourth straight win.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained stayer like Lucripetous is in the midst of a career best campaign.
He is now proven over the journey after saluting at Rosehill last start in Benchmark 80 company and returned a new master Timeform rating of 98.
Danas Best now rises to Group company and must go to a new level if he is to continue on winning.
Whether the Danasinga gelding can at his eighth run this campaign is doubtful and at his current quote might not be worth the investment.
He sits 2.5kg outside of the handicap and could find himself settled somewhere up on a solid tempo.
Another who will be up on the speed will be the David Payne-trained Winning Glory.
The One Cool Cat gelding has been a model of consistency this campaign with his latest outing yielding a third in the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m).
That effort also came in as Winning Glory’s new master Timeform figure.
Winning Glory on latest form would take some beating in this contest but expectations have to be tempered somewhat when looking at his record over the journey.
From seven starts over greater than 2000m, Winning Glory has placed just twice.
Peal Of Bells ran a blinder in the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) a fortnight ago behind Wazn.
The performance yielded a Timeform figure of 106, sharply improving on his forgettable effort at Rosehill the start prior over 1800m.
While capable on his day, Peal Of Bells has just been too inconsistent during the course of a prolonged campaign to warrant recommendation.
When going through the pros and cons of each Newcastle Cup runner, it’s soon realised Lucripetous is the one who profiles best and at well into each way odds, can reward the faith of his supporters.
