Yulong Stud’s cast-off Alabama Blitz now in Denim Wynen’s Wyong stable can provide her new connections with a healthy return on their investment when she lines up in the 1600 metre The Prince Of Merewether Class 1 Handicap at Saturday’s Newcastle Jockey Club race meeting. Maitland Insurance Brokers Steve and Amanda Morris paid $70,000 for Alabama Blitz when Yulong Stud listed the 4-year-old mare for sale in the Inglis Digital Online Sale in May.
Alabama Blitz was formally trained by Mike Maroney and Glen Thompson in Victoria where she had five starts for a country win and one placing. The mare was only beaten a length into second place on a very heavy Newcastle track on August 9. It was her first run for Wynen and Alabama Blitz has drawn perfectly and has genuine speed. Rory Hutchings has the mount, and the blinkers come off.
Wynen only has a small team in work, however stable runners are in good form with the popular lady trainer training three winners and three placings from her past eight starts.
The ultra consistent Divine Bene will find conditions to suit when he steps out in the Tough Mudder Hunter Valley Sept Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap. Adam Duggans five-year-old, led all the way and bolted in by 3.35 lengths on a heavy 10 Newcastle track on August 9. He had not raced in more than five weeks, and he ticks all the boxes on Saturday with barrier 2 and a 2-kilogram claim for talented apprentice Mitch Stapleford who rode him to victory last start. Devine Bene is a leader and his heavy track record stands at 10 starts for 3 wins and 4 placings.
Peter Snowden has two good chances at the Newcastle meeting and Mitchell Bell will ride both Mirra Impact and Hurry Miss. Mirra Impact beaten a nose on a heavy 10 Kembla track on August 7 will contest the 1400 metre Stars Of Newcastle Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap. He was first up at Kembla, and he drifted back to last before coming to the outside of the field on straightening. The gelding stormed home to just miss and the longer trip is ideal. Mirra Impact’s only win was at Newcastle in July 2023 and this is only his sixth start. Hurry Miss races in the Yulong colours and she steps out in the 1400 metre TAB APP Benchmark 64 Handicap after being an odds-on favourite in two starts this preparation. The mare came from well back when beaten a head at Kembla on July 26. Second up at Hawkesbury on a soft 7 track the mare enjoyed a lovely run midfield on the rail before producing a strong finish to win running away. Hurry Miss has a win and four placings from five starts.
Paul Perry’s The Warrior and Jason Coyle’s Lady Talea clash again in the opening event the 900 metre Happy 70th Birthday Dad – Gary Langdon Midway Maiden Plate. The pair clashed in a 900 metre Super Maiden on a heavy 10 Newcastle track on August 9 with The Warrier finishing second and Lady Talea a close third. The Warrior was at the tail of the field to the home turn and he was very strong late to go down by a length. 3 year old filly Lady Talea also came from the tail of the field and finished powerfully.
Saturday’s race meeting is The Stars Of Newcastle Race Day supporting The Cancer Council.