The Newcastle-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is celebrating 50 years of service in the region and the annual race day will be held at the Newcastle Racecourse on the Beaumont track on Saturday.
Former Godolphin foreman Nacim Dilmi who took over as the Hong King based Domeland’s trainer on August 1 has prospects of landing a treble at the seven-race meeting. The stables three-year old Federal Reserve had no luck when narrowly beaten on the Newcastle course proper last start on November 20 and Dilmi will apply blinkers and a lugging bit when the gelding lines up in the 1350 metre Newsure Insurance Brokers Provincial Maiden Plate. On November 20 Federal Reserve drew wide and was three wide with no cover before he made a fast run to lead 800 metres from home, after a tough run, he fought on courageously to go down by less the half a length.
First up on the Beaumont track on October 27 Federal Reserve ran on strong to fill third placing after racing too keen over the shorter 1150 metres. Mitchell Bell rides the 3-year-old for the first time. Dilmi has the consistent Bluebird Bay with Ash Morgan in the saddle in the opening event the 2100 metre Hobson 90 years Legacy Class 1 & Maiden Plate. The son of super sire The Autumn Sun, has been placed over shorter trips in his past two starts at Newcastle and Scone. This is a winnable race, and he is an on pacer. Dilmi saddles up So Much Better in the 1350 metre Liz Eagleton Memorial Benchmark 68 Handicap and a repeat of his close third at Gosford first up will see him hard to beat.
Annabel and Rob Archibald’s 4-year-old Apollo Ridge is ready to win third up from a spell when the son of the great Lonhro steps out in the 1250 metre Newcastle City Kia Super Maiden Handicap. Apollo Ridge has started favourite in his past two starts this preparation at Kembla and Newcastle. On November 4 at Kembla, he chased the winner Hinzel all the way when beaten two lengths into second place. Last start on November 20 at Newcastle Apollo Ridge enjoyed a lovely run on the rail behind the leaders but it was a train wreck for more than 100 metres in the home straight when he was jammed in and turned side on attempting to get into the clear. Aaron Bullock rides Apollo Ridge on Saturday.
Bullock has another interesting mount in Atelier which contests the 1350 metre Liz Eagleton Memorial Benchmark 68 Handicap. Raced by the ‘Race With Lizzie” syndicate Atelier is a new addition to the Kris Lees stable. The mare has won three from eight with two seconds and is a metropolitan winner. Since joining the Lees stable Atelier has had two soft trials allowed to finish at the tail of the field and not put under pressure. The rails barrier and Aaron Bullock in the saddle is a big plus.
Kim Waugh’s unraced Deep Field filly Brightburn unbeaten in two recent Central Coast trials will be well fancied in the 1150 metre All Metal Roofing Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate. She can race on the speed, has drawn well and Keagan Latham has the mount. The jockey also rides the O’Shae – Charlton trained True Amour, a good chance in the final event the 1200 metre Cube Voice & Data Benchmark 64 Handicap.