Gary Harley – Herald – 03.10.26
A long weekend race day at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday with a seven-race program scheduled. The Arrowfield stud owned and trained Olympian a son of the famous stud’s super star sire, The Autumn Sun resumes from a spell in the 1300m The Prince Of Merewether Benchmark 68 Handicap and he is well placed with Aaron Bullock in the saddle. During the Autum the 4-year-old was beaten three quarters of a length in the Group 3 Carvine Stakes at Randwick. The Gelding finished midfield in his last start at Warwick Farm when favourite in May, but his campaign had come to an end, and he headed to the paddock. Olympian has had two recent barrier trials, and he cruised to the line on the Beaumont track under a hold in his recent trial on September 23. He races well when fresh and has drawn perfectly in barrier 4.
The speedy Valilee winner of three of his five starts is set to return to winning form after a first up failure when he carries 63.5kgs in the 900-metre TAB Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. Valilee is in the stable of the Central Coasts Jake Hull and in his five starts he has either led or raced in second place. In his first start run at Warwick Farm, he led the field until the home turn but folded and finished second last on August 19.
A veterinary surgeon’s post-race examination found no abnormalities, but a subsequent vet examination revealed the presence of mucus in the trachea. He has the speed to lead from barrier 6 and Mitchell Bell, who has ridden Valilee in four of his five starts has the mount.
Richard and Will Freedman’s mare My Phar Lady resumes from a spell in the 1200 metre NZB Benchmark 64 Handicap and despite carrying the steadier of 61.5 kgs will be hard to beat. In February the five-year-old won a Rosehill Benchmark 72 and was narrowly beaten by the smart Barrrengary at Rosehill in March. The mare has had two recent barrier trials, and she has won two races first up. Importantly she has won two from three on the Newcastle track.
The Ciaron Maher trained Varjak placed in both starts this preparation has bright prospects in the 1500m Klosters Class 1 Handicap. His best form is when fresh and the long straight is ideal. He has been settling at the tail of the fields in both starts this preparation. Last start on the Illawarra Grange track Varjak was slow away and after conceding a huge start to the leaders stormed home to fail by half a length. Former leading Newcastle apprentice now a full-time jockey Loise Day has the mount.
Best Bet: race 7 number 5 Olympian