Gary Harley – Wrap – Spring Carnival Wrap – Friday 18.09.26
Rising star Aethelwulf will more than likely head to the Group 2 The Metropolitan following his demoralising victory in Fridays Sharp Office Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m). The five-year-old took his record to five wins from seven starts when the gelding made light work of his opposition in the Group 3 event.
Starting at $1.20 following the scratching on race morning of second favourite So You Are, Aethelwulf was one of the first to leave the barriers before his Jockey Zac Lloyd eased him into third place past the winning post the first time. The first half of the Cup was run at leisurely pace, so Lloyd allowed the favourite to stride to the lead 1000 metres from home. From thereon it was a one-horse race with Lloyd easing Aethelwulf down in the closing stages to win by 2.47 length from $101 outsider Steel Blaze with Bella Montagna in third place.
Lloyd was full of praise for the winner” This horse has so much improvement to come. He is so exciting and he settled so well despite the slow pace for the first half of the race” Lloyd said.
Matthew Smith the winner’s trainer told Gavin Carmody on Sky Racing “I was nervous before the race, but they walked early, and I was happy when Zac let him stride to the front. If the horse pulls up okay, he will either run in The Metropolitan at Randwick or the Bart Cummings at Flemington. Both races are on October 3”. Smith said.
I believe the trainer favours The Metropolitan, in which he is currently the $3.50 favourite and in TAB Melbourne Cup market following his Newcastle Cup win has firmed from $34 into $18.
Bjorn Baker trained his third Group winner in six days when his New Zealand bred mare Perfumist outclassed a classy field of females to win the NZB Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m). The winner landed a good-sized plunge firming from an opening price of $7 into $3.60. It was the 5-year-old mares first start since winning the 1700 metre Wellington Cup on April 12. Jockey Rachel King settled Perfumiest in fifth spot after being first out of the barrier and when King called on the mare to make her winning run in the home straight, she bounded away to win by 2.5 lengths.
Baker was over the moon with the win, and he is considering a start in the Epson with 50kgs on her back. Following Perfumist Tibbie Stakes win the mare has firmed from $51 into $26 in the Epson markets. She has qualified for the Big Dance courtesy of her Wellington Cup win.
The Gai Waterhouse/ Adrian Bott trained gelding Fully Lit found his best form to win the Group 3 Newcastle Car & Truck Rental Cameron Handicap (1500m). Fully Lit hit the ground running when the barriers opened and he led throughout courtesy of a well-judged ride by Regan Bayliss. The winner was backed from $7.50 into $5.50. It was the son of Hellbent’s first win in three starts this preparation but on his previous form he was entitled to be favourite. He finished third behind Headly Grange in last year’s Cameron Handicap and second, 1.44 lengths behind Autumn Glow in The Epson last October.
Newcastle Cup Day is always a great day’s racing and with lovely Spring weather and perfect track backed up by the quality of the animals competing the 2026 Cup Day was one to remember for the Newcastle Jockey Club.