Gary Harley
The beaten 2024 Breeders Plate favourite Tuscany resumes from a six-month spell in the opening event the 1150 metre Highlander Central Coast 18-19 April maiden at Mondays Wine County meeting at Newcastle’s Beaumont track. Originally purchased by China Horse Club, Newgate and others for $1,550,000 at the 2024 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale the then colt was trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and subsequently he failed to win in his only four starts since. Tuscany was sold to new owners at an Inglis Online Sale in October last year for $210,000 and on Monday he starts first up for new trainer Tom Charlton after two impressive recent Randwick trials with James McDonald in the saddle. After jumping well in both trials McDonald took hold and he cruised home late running on strong through the line under no pressure. He has been gelded and Keagan Latham rides Tuscany on Monday and under the set weight conditions there is only one horse weighted above him.
Kris Lees promising 3-year-old Night Agent returns from a respectable performance in last months $1Million Inglis Sprint at Flemington to run in the 1350 metre TAB Benchmark 58 Handicap on Monday. The 3-year-old was an easy winner of a Port Macquarie Maiden on February 8 prior to the trip to Melbourne. Night Agent was last at the ‘1800’ at Flemington and the gelding made good ground to finish less than four lengths from the winner. Tom Sherry has the mount from barrier two.
The Arrowfield Team have two good chances at the meeting and both will be ridden by Ash Morgan Are You Kidding steps up in distance in the 2100 metre the Adviser Collective Benchmark 58 Handicap a month after being placed over 1600 metres at Scone the son of Castelvecchio is part owned by Matt Damon and his wife and from four starts he has had a win and three placings. Are You Kidding ran on nicely when beaten less than 1.5 lengths by recent Randwick Highway winner Warrior For Peace in a Scone trial recently.
Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich will also saddle up Autumn King in the 1200 metre New Era Technology Class 1 Handicap. After runner up performances at Newcastle and Scone in the Spring Craig Williams hopped aboard the colt at Muswellbrook first up on March 8 and he bolted in with a 1000 metre Maiden. The son of boom sire Autumn Sun from be far from the speed from his inside barrier.
Goulburn trainer Scott Collings makes the trip form down south with his in form 4-year-old Zoutempus which contests the final event the 1150 metre The Prince Of Merewether Country Boosted Benchmark 68 Handicap. Crack country jockey Nick Haywood has ridden the gelding in his past two wins at Goulburn and he has been booked to ride on Monday.