Gary Harley
Arrowfield’s training partnership of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich are sending a blueblood 3-year-old filly to Newcastle to make her debut on Saturday. Cape Cod (I Am Invincible – Shoals) heads to Newcastle after two nice trials at Muswellbrook and on the Beaumont track and with stable jockey Aaron Bullock riding for the stable in the JJ. Atkins at Eagle Farm. The in-form Mitchell Bell has been booked for the ride on Cape Cod.
Part owner Jonathan Munz raced the filly’s dam Shoals, winner of Group 1’s in three states when trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman. Cape Cod has drawn barrier three in the Phillip Rieck Members Appreciation Maiden Handicap (900m) and she displayed speed in the Beaumont 800 metre trial on June 3 on a soft track before racing away untouched.
The Ciaron Maher trained You Sexy Thing resumes in the 1250 metre Signature Stables Australia Class 1 Handicap after displaying solid form in the New South Wales and Queensland last preparation. The Farnan filly was beaten 2 lengths by Cellamaster and Green Spring in a Randwick Maiden on Boxing Day and was 1.4 lengths from the winner in the $1/4 Million Magic Millions Maiden at the Gold Coast on January 10. You Sexy Thing was $1.26 when winning a Doomben Maiden on January 29 and she has had two soft trials in May and June with race jockey Adam Farragher in the saddle.
Three Newcastle trained gallopers all racing in good form dominate the 1250 metre Happy Birthday Yvette Hadfield Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap. The Mark Minervini trained Hidden Star is chasing a hat-trick of recent wins on the Newcastle track after an eye-catching performance when coming from last to finish half a length third at Wyong on May 7 the filly easily won a Newcastle Maiden on May 19. Last start Rory Hutchings gave her a gun ride in fourth place before she raced away to win by 1.63 lengths at Newcastle. Hutchings has the mount on Saturday, and she has raced well on wet or dry tracks.
Kris Lees mare Oakfield Neptune has had three starts on her home track for two wins and a third. All her race starts have been on wet tracks and she led all the way on a heavy 9 when a 2.81 length winner at Newcastle on May 23.
Paul Perry’s Cosy Corner was narrowly beaten first up on the track on May 19, and the mare has won on wet or dry tracks.
Nathan Doyle trained Funshow placed in four of his five starts can break through in the 1300 metre Ben “Gucci” Potts Cup Super-Maiden Plate. He was well beaten first up when placed at Wyong on April 30 but won a trial since on the Beaumont track by 4.2 lengths under no pressure. The 3-year-old has barrier 1 with Jean Van Overmier in the saddle.
Blake Ryan travels from Hawkesbury to Newcastle with his speedy filly Silk Lace which is attempting to win her third race on the trot at Newcastle. In a career of four starts Silk Lace has recorded two wins and a second and both Newcastle wins have been over Saturdays 900 metre trip. Ryan’s apprentice Emma Ly has ridden her in both starts at Newcastle and the lady retains the mount.