Newcastle Inside Mail Tuesday: $900,000 yearling the one to beat

dailytelegraph.com.au

20 November 2023

Some expensive youngsters stepping out at Newcastle on Tuesday on a day when star apprentice Dylan Gibbons shapes as the jockey to follow on the eight-race card.

NEWCASTLE INSIDE MAIL

RACE 1

Mist Of Battle is first-up over 1890m but bear in mind that his only win so far was in a 1900m maiden at Gosford first-up two preparations ago. Wouldn’t read too much into the trial, the fluctuations will be essential viewing given he was $18 into $13 when he won that day at Gosford. Stablemate Gallivanter presents as a very fit horse. He was very unlucky indeed here prior to his honourable fifth at Gosford 7-days ago. Les Bridge’s Zizette, the granddaughter of his Myer Classic winner Miss Zoe, is building up to a win.

Bet: Mist of Battle to win

RACE 2

Icebreaker has been thereabouts, more or less, in most of his seven starts to date. The David Payne trained grey’s first three dam-sires are Unbridled’s Song, Sadler’s Wells and Shirley Heights which accounts for his stamina. Perfect track/trip on Tuesday. Stablemate Gunslinger will appreciate Newcastle – as a venue – far more than Gosford where he was a real eye-catcher coming from last of 10 at the 400m in a 1600m maiden. La Sagrada and Autunno have claims.

Bet: Icebreaker to win, exacta 10 to beat 9

RACE 3

Watch My Girl is an Arrowfield bred Maurice filly from a ‘classic’ family that boasts Manighar among many others. She must be a great looker too given her $425,000 price-tag at Easter in 2022. The Ron Quinton trained filly had trialled well before a very impressive first-up win at Gosford over 1200m. Bigger track and extra 300m are ticks. Shuri was $1.85 out to $2.25 on debut at Taree but ended-up winning like a $1.10 shot. Not a bad effort that to win from barrier 13 of 14 – by panels. Allez Wonder’s daughter Mistress is a Newcastle winner.

Bet: Watch My Girl to win

RACE 4

Olivia’s Spirit won at Grafton first-up then went to Newcastle three weeks later and had absolutely no luck at all. No surprise that she was $4.60 into $3.20 when he headed up to Grafton 14-days later and won very easily indeed. No wonder Ben Looker has followed her down on Tuesday. Desi Emperor is ‘5321’ this preparation which speaks to his consistency and current state of health and wellbeing. No reason why he can’t, or won‘t figure prominently again. Hunter Bred is getting close to winning again.

Bet: Olivia’s Spirit to win, exacta 2 to beat 1

RACE 5

Jared is the seventh foal of No Comment whose previous offspring include Oxford Road, Mo The Great, Don’t Recall, Conrad and Chipper. Jared is almost certain to credit No Comment with another winner. He has two seconds and two thirds from his six starts. Aside from the alley, what’s not to like? Tsarism handed in the bets run of his five start lifetime when third to the aforementioned Watch My Girl at Gosford. Fancy the 1400m on the bigger track are ticks. Oakfield Zena can improve here with that first run under her belt.

Bet: Jared to win or if scratched Tsarism to win

RACE 6

Prairie Legend was a $900,000 Magic Millions Yearling buy. A son of I Am Invincible out of a Grade 3 USA winner, this Chris Waller-trained galloper is a half to Zousain. Perhaps more important than all that is that this will be his first run as a gelding. Regards the trials; they were a whole lot better than they read. Costner, like his namesake, has been good sometimes, not as good at others but overall there seems to be talent there. Turbulent could do something here at odds. That last trial was as good as you’d see for a horse that ran 6th of 7.

Bet: Prairie Legend to win, First 4: 4 (standout) 2,6,7,8 (boxed)

RACE 7

Divine Vicky has been handy from day one – literally, given that hard fight and determined debut win at Kembla. The Matthew Smith trained daughter of So You Think has been good in all five starts since too. This is just the ideal race for the mare who is way down in class when you line up her Eagle Nest midweek form. Nothing will finish faster all day – probably – than Poseidon Ruler. You wouldn’t see an unluckier run than Poseidon Ruler’s here on October 17. Smiling Prophet ran above her $61 SP in the Eagle Nest/Divine Vicky race.

Bet: Divine Vicky to win, box trifecta 1,5,10,13

RACE 8

Mafia, the son of Written Tycoon, will resume at Newcastle on Tuesday as a gelding. Wouldn’t you love the stats about ‘first run as a gelding’? I know one we can put in the winner’s column – Kingston Town. As for Mafia, his form is better than these and the trails have been excellent. Good Lieutenant would be one of the bests of the day if this were a Heavy 10 on Tuesday. Bottom Bar ran a really good race for Allan Kehoe. has claims in a race that has lost a few of its major contenders.

Bet: Mafia to win