Gary Harley – Herald – 06.06.26
The Bjorn Baker stable has accepted with five gallopers for the Newcastle Jockey Club eight race meeting on the course proper on Saturday and a Kiwi bred 4-year-old Pentagon is maybe the best chance for the stable. Pentagon was bred by Gerry Harvey on his New Zealand Stud and was placed in three starts on Kiwi tracks in June and July last year. He is now raced by a group which includes Baker and his foreman Luke Hilton and he bolted in with a Hawkesbury Maiden on November 27 when a $1.55 favourite.
After a close third in his second Australian start at Hawkesbury on December 14 the gelding was spelled. Pentagon has had two recent Rosehill trails under little pressure on a Soft 6 track on May 22. He has led in both Australian starts and Brock Ryan has the mount in the Bella Group Services Class 1 Handicap 1200m. Nathan Doyles Divo and Emalyn are two of the main threats.
Baker’s Godolphin bred and owned 3-year-old Monotone disappointed when a distant fourth first up from a spell at Hawkesbury on a heavy track on May 21, but important gear changes on Saturday may see a sharp improvement. Tommy Berry rode him at Hawkesbury when a $2.60 favourite and he recommended to the stable to consider blinkers at his next start and he has the blinkers and a tongue tie on Saturday. Monotone a son of the great Lonhro has drawn nicely in barrier 4 and Chad Lever has the mount.
Celebes Sea raced by successful Queensland owner Judy Wanless and trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou put 6.3 length on her opponents on debut at Kembla on May 16 and she is the one to beat in the 1400 metre Ausure Insurance Fillies and Mares Benchmark 64 Handicap. Celebes Sea was allowed to settle in fourth place at Kembla before jockey Brock Ryan revved the filly up near the home turn and she careered away in the home straight on the Soft 5 track. The daughter of Coolmore’s great deceased Fastnet Rock pricked he ears late at Kembla, and she will relish the extra 200 metres on Saturday.
New Zealand’s Waikato Stud owned and bred filly Movie Night a close second at Kembla on May 16 is set to atone in the 1400 metre Omnia Wheel Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate. Trained by Tom Charlton, the filly was one of the last to leave the barriers at Kembla and after being 12 lengths from the leader mid race and checked at the 400 she stormed home to just miss. Movie Night will be fitter second up. Keagan Latham rides the 3-year-old from barrier one.
The ultra consistent Muswellbrook trained Tanglewood Jimmy can break through for another well-deserved win in the 1400 metre Reward Hospitality Benchmark 64 Handicap. Wayne Wilks prepares the 5-year-old which has been placed in his past three starts at Newcastle Randwick and Muswellbrook. He has no speed and has raced at the tail of the fields in his four starts, but the gelding is a powerful finisher. Tanglewood Jimmy stormed home when a close second on this track on May 19. In form apprentice Shannon Llewlyn will claim 2 kilograms.
Saturday’s race meeting is one of the NJC’s most popular each year as it is the Mark Hughes Foundation Race Day, raising much needed funds for Brain Cancer research and supported by the Burwood Inn. Beanies will be available for purchase on the day at the track.