Gary Harley – Herald
The Newcastle Jockey Club will host a seven-race Country Class race meeting on the Beaumont track on Monday.
The lightly raced Good N You from the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable is ready to peak third up from a spell in the 1350 metre New Era Technology Class 1 Handicap. Tom Sherry has the mount on the 4-year-old son of Graff which has performed very well in two starts o the Beaumont track earlier this year. On debut in a maiden on the track in January Good N You was an odds-on favourite when placed on a Soft 6 track. Two weeks later the gelding returned to the Beaumont track to lead all the way when a $1.10 favourite. First up with no cover when beaten a neck on the Newcastle course proper second upon the Kensington track on October 7 Good N You was slowly away before making good ground late to finish 2.73 lengths behind the unbeaten Punxsutawney Phil. He races well on soft going and the longer trip is ideal.
Scone trained stayer Questionable winner of two of her past three starts at Dubbo steps up in class in the 2100 metre Drinkwise Benchmark 66 Handicap. Trained by the astute Rod Northam, the 5-year-old mares three recent starts have been over 2200 metres, and she is a strong stayer. Scone apprentice Anna Weatherlake will claim 3 kilograms and Questionable will carry 52.5 kilograms.
The inform Richard and Will Freedman trained filly Excelluna heads to Newcastle to contest the 1150 metre Reward Hospitality Class 1 Handicap and she will be hard to beat. The 3-year-old won a Newcastle Maiden first up from a spell on September 19 and it was an outstanding win. She came from back in the field over 900 metres and she had a tough run wide with no cover and ran over her opposition late under hands and heels. Second up at Hawkesbury, on October 8, Excelluna had to contend with the extreme outside barrier and she was taken back to near last at the start. The filly made up good ground to be beaten two lengths, Shaun Guymer has been booked for the ride.
The Archibald stables Missile Magnate has come up with the rail’s barrier in the 1350 metre The Prince Of Merewether 66 Handicap. The 4-year-old was impressive in a first-up win at Muswellbrook on October 5. He has had nine starts for two wins and three placings and the son of Capitalist has a good second-up record. Apprentice Olivia Dalton will claim 1.5 kilograms.
The Newcastle Jockey Club will race again on Saturday 31 October for the Maitland Rugby Club Raced Day.