The Newcastle Jockey Club is expecting one of their biggest attendances of the year for the iconic Boxing Day race meeting on Friday. The popular Hot Dub Time Machine is locked in to fire up the Hunters biggest Christmas Party well into the night.
On the racetrack John Singleton’s blueblood filly Erin Jo lines up for her second race start following an impressive fast finishing placing on debut on the Kensington track on December 5. Andrew Gibbons has the mount on the Kris Lees trained 3-year-old a daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible and Lees three-time Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina. Erin Jo has drawn okay in the 1350, metre Recycle Today Greener Tomorrow Super Maiden Plate. Erin Jo is the last filly from Lucia Valentia who passed away after a colic attack in august 2024.
Singleton paid $700,000 for the blueblood at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and gifted a share to media identity Erin Molan. Prior to her first up start on the Kensington track Lees said Erin Jo would eventually need more ground like mum and the trainer was impressed with her performance. Near last on debut the 3-year-old made up many lengths from the home turn to finish 1.25 lengths from the winner.
Another Novocastrian with sound credentials is Nathan Doyles lightly raced 4-year-old Caltsar to be ridden by the stables 3 kilograms claiming Shannon Llewellyn in the 1350 metre Lucky’s Scrap Metal Boxing Day Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap. The gelding has won two of his three starts on heavy tracks at Newcastle and Kembla however he trialled nicely on a good 4 surface at Gosford on December 9. Caltsar races well fresh and he is first up since June, and the rails barrier is a plus.
The father and son partnership of Richard and Will Freedman have prospects of book ending the Newcastle program on Boxing Day. They saddle up the consistent stayer Contaldo in the opening event the 2100 metre For The Love Of Frieda Class 1 and Maiden Plate. An on the speed stayer the American bred 5-year-old has been narrowly beaten carrying 61.5 kilograms in his past two starts on the Kensington tracks and Gosford. In both starts Contaldo was beaten by Lennox, and he carries 59 kilograms under the set weight conditions on Friday. The in-form Grant Buckley has the mount. The Freeman’s 3-year-old Vivian’s Express beaten a nose first up at Wyong on December 10 has a good chance in the final event the 1200 metre Prince Of Merewether Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. Lee Magorrian rides the filly.