Gary Harley
The first of six Group events scheduled for the Newcastle Racecourse during 2026, the 1400 metre Horsepower Newcastle Stakes, a Group 3 event will be held on Friday.
Newcastle track specialist Coal Crusher will carry the topweight of 60½ kilograms in the Group 3 event with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle and he is clearly the best credentialled galloper in the race. An 8-year-old these days Coal Crusher won the Newcastle Herald $1million The Hunter in 2023 and 2025 and was runner up to Briasa in 2024.
Joe Pride has given Coal Crusher two starts this preparation and he was unplaced in both however he did not have the best of luck in the Liverpool Cup at Randwick on February 28. The gelding was held up from the 250 to the 100 metre point and should have finished closer. Coal Crusher is normally a front runner and he draws barrier 3 and he performs on wet or dry tracks.
The supporting program includes the 1300 metre Prince Of Merewether Paul Perry 2-year-old Handicap which in the past three years has produced a number of future Group winners.
Four time Group 1 winner Broadsiding finished third in the race in his second start in 2024. Other Group 2 and 3 winners that graduated from The Paul Perry included Kintyre, Inhibitions, Wymark and Napoleonic.
On Friday Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup travels up the M1 with his promising colt Anthropoid which has drawn barrier 4 with Tommy Berry in the saddle in the Paul Perry 2 Year Old Handicap. The colts only two starts in October and November have resulted in fourth placings in the Kirkham and Golden Gift. Anthropoid has trialled twice recently at Rosehill and is ready to fire first up. The 1300 metres on the spacious track is in his favour.
Local trainer Jason Deamer’s successful association with leading syndicate Dynamic Syndications can continue when the 4-year-old mare Spaceballs steps out in the 1300 metre NZB Samantha Miss Fillies and Mares Benchmark 68 Handicap. The daughter of Dundeel was originally trained by Ciaron Maher but after an unplaced win on the Kensington Track on January 21 the mare was transferred to Deamer. The latter produced Spaceballs first up at Hawkesbury on February 19 and she was highly impressive coming from second last at the top of the straight to win narrowly. Zac Lloyd rode Spaceballs at Hawkesbury and he will ride her on Friday.
Coal Crushers stablemate In Circles narrowly beaten on debut at Hawkesbury on February 19 can atone in the opening event the 1200 metre Reward Hospitality Maiden Plate. The 3-year-old had a nice trail and just failed to run down the winner at Hawkesbury and the longer trip is ideal.
The Freedman’s Borjnord is trialling well and is a danger.
The NJC will host a huge crowd for the International Women’s Day function on course with Natalia Hogan and Marcia Hines guest speakers.