Gary Harley
Nathan Doyle was the only Newcastle trainer to saddle up a winner at Tuesday’s Newcastle Jockey Clubs race meeting on the Beaumont track. Doyles four-year-old colt Better Late winless in five starts since a Port Macquarie Benchmark 58 win on January 6 was a well-supported $3.90 in Tuesday’s final event the 1200 metre New FM/2HD Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap.
The gelding had signified he was in for a good preparation when a close second, first up at Gosford on August 6. Stable jockey Ash Morgan was in the saddle on Tuesday and after a moderate start from an outside barrier Morgan let Better Late sprint away with sustained speed to lead the field clearly after 300 metres. The winner was still cruising up front halfway down the straight when it was evident there wasn’t any challengers. At the post the son of Japanese sire Maurice had put 2.3 lengths on the runner up Grinzinger Pod.
Lightly raced 4-year-old Canal was the most impressive winner on the program, and he remains unbeaten for new trainer Port Macquarie based Paul Snowden. A 4-year-old son of the great Lonhro has started six times for three different trainers, however he is in career best form. Bred by Godolphin the gelding was trained for two starts by James Cummings for a close third in the Kensington track in Marck 2025. When Cummings parted with Godolphin, Canal was transferred to Gary Portelli where he was unplaced in two starts earlier this year. Canal was the listed for sale in an Inglis Online Sale in May and was purchased for $42,500 by Patriot Bloodstock and transferred to Snowden. He was a brilliant winner first up at Port Macquarie on July 31. On Tuesday with 59 kilograms in the 1150 metre Horsepower Feeds & Supplements Class 1 Handicap, Canal was backed off the map into $2.15, and he was a clear last to leave the barriers and eight lengths form the leaders before the home turn. He exploded down the outside to win by 2 lengths.
Another impressive winner was the Hawkes stables 4-year-old St. Johann in the 1150 metre NZB Maiden Handicap. heavily backed from $6.00 when TAB framed the market and with no scratchings the gelding was $2.05 at barrier rise. Tyler Schiller was in the saddle, and he was caught wide early from his wide barrier, however he had a nice trail from the 800-metre mark. St. Johann was very strong late scoring 1.67 lengths. Kerrin McEvoy and Dylan Gibbons took the riding honours for the day with a double a piece.
Racing resumes at Newcastle on September 18 and 19 with the two-day Spring Racing Carnival.
Day 1 features 3 Group 3 events, the time-honoured Sharp Office Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m), Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Cameron Handicap (1500m) and NZB Tibbie Stakes (1400m).
Day 2 is Ladies Day.