3 minute read

Brenton Le Grand looks back on The Hunter day at Newcastle and brings you all the talking points from the stand alone meeting.

Widdup's youngster wins on debut in Max Lees Classic 

Hawkesbury-based conditioner Brad Widdup has unveiled a promising two-year-old in the form of Fire Lane winning the $150,000 Max Lees Classic. 

Given a perfect steer in transit by Jay Ford in the one-out one-back position, the Hellbent filly let down with authority in the straight to hold off a closing Cylinder by a short half head. 

Ford was impressed with his filly's will to win over the closing stages.

"I thought the second horse of Godolphin's was going to monster us late, but it just showed her tenacity," Ford said. 

"She's only going to improve and she's got a promising future." 

Ten Bells makes it six out of 11 

Nicconi mare Ten Bells is building up an enviable strike rate winning six out of 11 starts to date with a narrow victory in the Benchmark 78 over 1400m. 

She was able to take a position on the fence just behind the leaders, before pushing off and overcoming the Kim Waugh-trained French Bonnet by a short half head. 

Jockey Jason Collett believes he has figured out her preferred racing pattern. 

"Probably better suited today," Collett said. 

"She sat on speed last start, she just needs that cover I think.

"Once she got into a rhythm today off that steady tempo she was in the right spot where she only had not a big margin to be able to make up." 

King Frankel dominates The Beauford 

Mark Newnham's import King Frankel has really hit his straps since joining his Sydney operation. The five-year-old gave nothing else a chance leading all the way in the $300,000 The Beauford over 2300m to bring up his third win from four local starts. 

Newnham believes there could be even better races for him in the new year. 

"I'll have a look at what we may be able to get him ready for in the autumn. There's the Sydney Cup there which would be a nice aim," Newnham said. 

Jockey Tyler Schiller was equally effusive about his mount's ability. 

"He just keeps doing his work and improving. He was a lot better in front than he was at Warwick Farm, so to see him put them away like that shows he has come on in leaps and bounds and hopefully a little bit more to come," Schiller said. 

Pierossa too strong in the three-year-old feature 

The only Group race on the card went to the Team Snowden-prepared Pierossa as she took out the $200,000 Group 3 Spring Stakes with a withering burst late. The win adds valuable black type to the Pierro filly's pedigree page and she looks to have plenty in store come the spring. 

Jockey Sam Clipperton has been involved with three-year-old for some time, and believes there could be more on offer come next year. 

"She's a filly that you have to squeeze every little bit out of, but she really knuckles down under hard riding," Clipperton said. 

"I think this filly is going to be an even more mature filly in the autumn and particularly once she gets up to those 2000m and beyond distances." 

Vilana gets the job done in the The Hunter

He had a torrid run from barrier 20 in the Golden Eagle a fortnight ago, but Godolphin entire Vilana has bounced back to take out the $1 million The Hunter. 

Given a perfect run in transit by Nash Rawiller from a much more suitable gate seven, the four-year-old was able to run down a dogged In The Congo to salute by a neck on the line. 

Stable representative Darren Beadman was never in doubt during the race, and was grateful that today's surface was more to his charger's liking. 

"He got the job done today and it was quite painless in the run. When he come out and won first-up in the Silver Eagle, he really showed his class that day," Beadman said. 

"In the Golden Eagle, just the wide gate and the ground was probably a little bit firm for him the other day. His action just didn't look right.

"It's been a remarkable spring carnival." 

Redwood Shadow brings up a treble for Jason Collett 

It was a lucrative day for hoop Jason Collett as he brought up a treble on the card. 

Collett got the chocolates in the Highway aboard Knife's Edge, before saluting in the next on top of Ten Bells. He rounded out the day with a win in the last on The Joe Pride galloper Redwood Shadow.