The fifth round of inductees into the Newcastle & Hunter Racing Hall of Fame took place during Tuesday’s race meeting at the Newcastle Racecourse. The luncheon was held in the Pavilion and was hosted by Sky Racing’s Greg Radley and previous inductees including John Wade, Robert Thompson, Clarry Conners and Kris Lees attended the function.
Those inducted on Tuesday were Associate George Ryder (Administrators and Hunter Valley Stud Owner) and Yarraman Park Stud’s Scone breeders and administrators Arthur and Harry Mitchell. Trainers- Broadmeadow’s Jim Johnstone and Scone’s Betty Shepherd. Jockeys, Newcastle and Randwick based Billy Lappin and Newcastle’s Merv Maynard. Racehorse – Razor Sharp and Angst both trained during their illustrious careers at Broadmeadow Racecourse.
There were eight races on Tuesday and again as at recent Newcastle meetings, favourite backers had a bonanza with five of eight favourites successful. Kris Lees New Zealand bred filly Via Flaminia was the only locally trained galloper successful on the day and the stable is predicting a bright future for the 3-year-old after an easy win in the 1300 metre Racing Post Bloodstock Maiden Plate. Via Flaminia was narrowly beaten on debut at Newcastle on August 9 after a tough battle for most of the straight. Dylan Gibbons went forward on the filly after a slow start, and he settled behind the leaders with cover. The jockey steered the favourite towards the outside fence at the top of the straight and she cruised to the lead. Unextended, Via Flaminia won by 2.74 lengths and she carries the colours of Lees former Group 1 winner Sence Of Occasion. The latter won the 2017 Doomben Cup and 2016 Villers.
Chris Wallers’ decision to scratch early favourite Golden Century to rely on stablemate Shanoni in the 1500 metre TAB Venue Mode Maiden Plate proved a winner when Shanoni romped in. Jason Collett put the mare in fourth place during the race and the 4-year-old raced away to win by more than two lengths. The mare races in the famous Ingham colours and they bred Shanoni.
Collett also rode the Richard and Will Freedman trained I Am A Winner to victory in the opening event the 900 metre The Prince Of Merewether Maiden Handicap. Again, it was an effortless win as the gelding bolted in by 2.68 lengths. Another Sydney-based jockey Jay Ford also rode two winners on an outsider and the other a well-backed favourite. Ford piloted $26 chance Amaretto Bo to her first victory in nine starts in the 1250 metre Jennings Print Super Maiden Handicap, trained by Richard Litt the 4-year-old mare always races well at Newcastle where prior to the win she was a close second in two starts in February. Ford has had a successful association with the Kim Waugh stable and he was aboard the stables 5 year old Bellenth, an impressive winner of the 1250 metre Ascend Trophies Class 1 Handicap.
During the race meeting the newly renovated Robert Thompson Jockey’s Room was officially opened with the champion jockey gathering together with current jockeys on course.
The next meeting at Newcastle will be the two-day Spring Racing Carnival held on Friday September 19 and Saturday 20 September. Friday being the feature race day holding 3 Group 3 races. The elite race program is headlined by Group 3 $300,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m), alongside the $250,000 Group 3 Tibbie Stakes and $250,000 Cameron Handicap (1500m). Saturday is the ever-popular Ladies Day with the Myer Pamper Station, Glam Cam and of course Fashions On The Field taking place.