Kris Lees and Aaron Bullock dominated Tuesday’s seven race program on the Newcastle course proper with four winners each. Lees and Bullock combined with three winners- Lord Winston, Spellcatcher and Miracle Day. The trainers apprentice Bailey Wheeler rode his third career winner when he steered Toomai to victory for his boss. Bullock’s fourth winner for the day was the Paul Messara trained Angelic.
Queensland owned 3 year old Lord Winston was very impressive in winning The Prince Of Merewether Maiden Handicap 1350m. Bullock took a nice sit behind the speed and the gelding sprinted away in the straight to win by 1.8 lengths. Lees said in the lead up to the meeting that he believed Lord Winston would develop into a good ‘miler’ and he is on the way.
The Australian Bloodstock owned Spellcatcher was heavily backed before his easy win in the Hungerford Hill Maiden Plate 1200m. He had not raced since his only previous start at Scone in January. The 3 year old trailed the favourite Foolish which led the field until the winner cruised to the lead in the straight.
Former Victorian Miracle Day maintained his unbeaten record since joining the Lees stable when he outclassed his opposition in the Australian Bloodstock Benchmark 58 Handicap 1200m. After two Muswellbrook trial wins he bolted in first up at Muswellbrook on November 2 before Tuesday’s win.
Unwanted by punters, Lees fourth winner Toomai drifted to $26 before winning the Yarraman Park Benchmark 58 Handicap 1350m. It was a well-judged ride from the 4 kilogram claimer Bailey Wheeler. The mare was formerly trained by Chris Waller.
Another of Lees apprentice jockeys Madi Derrick, rode her second Newcastle winner since coming from Western Australian when she piloted Mosht Up to win the Sharp Office Benchmark 58 Handicap 1200m. Trained at Wyong by Stephen Schofield. Mosht Up put the writing on the wall with placings in her previous three starts.
The famous Arrowfield colours were carried to victory by Angelical in the Tab.com.au Maiden Handicap. The daughter of Japanese sire Real Impact is trained by Paul Messara and she was on debut after a Scone trial win.
Warwick Farm trained Ponte Pietra broke through for his first win in twelve starts when he won the 2200 metre OAS Technology Benchmark 58 Handicap. The winner trained by Richard Littard and ridden by Alysha Collett was at huge odds.