Gai Waterhouse might have failed in her bid to win four feature races at Newcastle this week, but she can rebound in devestating fashion with Glencadam Gold in the $200,000 Newcastle Gold Cup this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
After a dominant win by Proisir in the Spring Stakes yesterday, the Waterhouse yard stumbled slightly in the Cameron Handicap when race favourite Kontiki Park ran sixth and the resuming Western Symbol finished last.
But the queen of Australian racing looks poised to strike back today through the Caulfield Cup-bound Glencadam Gold, chasing a third straight win since resuming this campaign.
The four-year-old English import produced his best career run on the first day of this month when dominating the listed Premier’s Cup at Rosehill.
The all-the-way win netted a Timeform rating of 110, and jockey Tommy Berry never let a single horse get past him. He strode three lengths clear mid-race and when the pressure came in the straight, kicked right away from them.
It wasn’t against a field of mugs either. Highly rated Chris Waller stayer Permit ran second while Stout Hearted crossed the line in third spot.
Stout Hearted then rebounded on the weekend winning the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
In doing so he beat home in-form Ron Quinton mare Crafty Irna and another Waterhouse runner – the largely impressive Strawberry Boy.
This will be Glencadam Gold’s first real staying test since moving to Australia, but the extra trip won’t be an issue.
He won a 2400m in England last year, and did so carrying 57.5kg.
Today he carries the top weight of 58kg but gets star jockey Nash Rawiller in the saddle, and there’s no better front runner in the country.
The final piece of the puzzle is the scratching of Chris Waller’s Kelinni, who looked the only real danger. He ran a narrow fourth in the Wyong Gold Cup but won’t be going around this afternoon.
Another feature win looms for Waterhouse.
Of the rest, expect Gazza Guru to run a very bold race behind Glencadam Gold.
The honest Stephen Farley stayer has been in pretty handy form of late and was only beaten a head by Julienas in the Wyong Gold Cup 13 days ago.
A Timeform rating of 111 was his reward and this is clearly the next logical step. He placed in his only other start at this track, and has placed over this trip before.
Bear in mind though, Stout Hearted was beaten more than five lengths by Glencadam Gold in that Premier’s Cup two runs back.
He looks to have improved though, and always runs a strong race.
Ex-Queensland galloper Racing Heart looms as a bit of a wildcard in this. Formerly trained by Robert Heathcote, he’s transferred to the Joseph Pride yard and should be primed for today’s debut for his new trainer.
His recent Queensland form has been impeccable – he’s won three of four since July, all in Saturday Brisbane grade.
Most recently he led all the way on September 1 at Eagle Farm for a 0.8L win over 2106m.
Chasing his 13th career win, the six-year-old might just challenge Glencadam Gold for the lead, but that may well prove to be his downfall if it backfires.
Of the rest, Peal Of Bells, Saint Encosta and Yulalona have minor claims.
