Gary Harley – Herald – 12.07.25
Short course speedster Pratt, unbeaten since entering the Mark Minervini stable will attempt to complete his third win on the trot in Saturday’s 900 metre East Maitland Bowling Club Benchmark 64 Handicap on his home track at Newcastle. Formally trained at Rosehill, Pratt was unplaced in his first three starts before being listed for sale and Minervini purchased him for a big group of clients for $45,000.
After two impressive Newcastle trials the 4-year-old was backed into $1.45 first up for his new owners at Newcastle on May 26 and he bolted in by 3.32 lengths. Second up on June 8 the speedster led throughout to win a Wyong Class 1 over 1000 metres. Aaron Bullock, clear leader in the NSW Jockeys Premiership, rode Pratt in his first up win and he has the mount on Saturday. The wide barrier is the only negative, however he has speed to burn.
Randwick trainer John Sargent will send a promising filly Nullarbor Jane to Newcastle, and she resumes from a spell after two impressive Randwick trials. A speedy 2-year-old, she will step out in the 900 metre Club Charlestown Midway 2&3 YO Maiden Handicap from barrier 2. Nullarbor Jane won successive trials at Randwick in February and in her only start was a $10 chance in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes in which she crossed from the outside barrier into second place in a red-hot field, she tired late and was sent for a spell. Her two recent Randwick trials suggest the filly is ready to win first up on Saturday. Jeff Penza has the mount.
Sara Ryan’s How Much Better, fitter for two respectable performances in two recent starts on metropolitan tracks clashes with the in-form Peter Snowden trained California Secret in the final event the 1400 metre Club Macquarie Benchmark 68 Handicap. How Much Better has been runner up in two of his three Newcastle starts and he started favourite second up when beaten 2.5 lengths in a Rosehill Benchmark 72 on June 28. Last preparation the grey had five starts for a win and two seconds. California Secret resumed from a spell on June 1 with a last start victory at Muswellbrook and he has won his next two starts at Newcastle on heavy tracks. He has the advantage of the rails barrier.
Local trainer Jason Deamer and Aaron Bullock combine with last start Hawkesbury winner Just In Time in the 1300 metre Belmont 16’s Pink Race Day Cup and the mare will be hard to beat. She is a winner at Newcastle and first up at Hawkesbury on June 17 raced clear in the closing stages to win by 1.64 lengths.
The racecourse will be a sea of Pink at the club’s annual Pink Race Day. The day is supported by Clubs in the Community which raises funds for the Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation.