The Newcastle Jockey Club on the back up from Saturday’s successful Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation Race Day will stage another attractive race meeting on the course proper on Tuesday. It’s Port Stephens Cup Day with sponsors from the area supporting the day.
Paul Snowden, based at Port Macquarie these days will travel down with former Queensland mare Cluedo which will probably be favourite in the 1400 metre Newcastle Herald F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap. With legendary trainer Brian Smith announcing his retirement at the end of this season the Kiwi bred Cluedo has been transferred to the Snowden stable. The mare won a Port Macquarie trial for Snowden on June 15, and she could not have been more impressive in a first up Taree win on a soft track on June 30. She carried 60.5 kilograms and Aaron Bullock put her in third place and when he revved the mare up on the home turn Cluedo sprinted away. Her Queensland form last preparation was good enough and Bullock has the mount again.
Richard and Will Freedman’s 3-year-old Cold Brew has ultra consistent form and has come up with the rails barrier in the 1400 metre Port Stephens Examiner Benchmark 64 Handicap. He has had two starts since resuming from a spell last month and returned in good form. Cold Brew was beaten 1.66 lengths into second place first up on the Kensington track on a soft 6 on June 11 and second up when he stepped out on a good 4 surface at Hawkesbury on June 26, he blitzed the opposition to win a Maiden by 4.6 lengths. Rory Hutchings has his first ride on the gelding.
The Archibald stable’s Zoustar 2-year-old colt Hillier raced in quality juvenile events earlier this year and he resumes in the 1200 metre Nelson Bay Bowling Recreation Club Maiden Plate. After a close second in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes on February 1 he finished out of a place in the Pierro, Skyline and Black Opal before a spell. The colt has had two recent trials and on June 27 on a good 4 surface he trialled nicely at Randwick when beaten half a length. He raced past Saturday’s easy Newcastle winner Southern Heiress in the closing stages, and the trial indicates he can win first up. Tom Sherry rides the colt from a lovely barrier.
Sherry rides the early favourite, Malbork Castle in the opening event the 2200 metre Vale Ben Smith Benchmark 64 Handicap. The Richard Litt trained 3-year-old is chasing a hat trick of wins after narrow victories at Hawkesbury on June 17 and 26. He was tough winning a class 1, 2100 metre event at Hawkesbury last start as he hit the front at the top of the straight and fought hard to the line.
Chris Waller trains the two early favorites, The Stars and Say Yes in the 1200 metre Sirena Seaside Restaurant Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate. The Stars racing in the Torryburn Stud colours is resuming after two placings from the Zoustar filly’s four starts during her first preparation in January and February. The two placings were at Rosehill and Canterbury. The Star races well on the speed and draws favourably with Rory Hutchings in the saddle.
Say Yes is on debut after a number of trials and was beaten a length in a Rosehill trial on July 4 when under no pressure.
Ciaron Maher has two good chances in the 1400 metre Destination Port Stephens Cup Maiden Plate. Skirmish to be ridden by Ash Morgan indicated she needs the longer trip after her fourth placing on debut on the Kensington track on June 25. Invisible Magic has been placed in her only four starts.