Ones to Watch – Newcastle

Tara Madgwick - Sunday May 15

A strong provincial meeting at Newcastle on Saturday produced a couple of debut winners that caught the eye for varying reasons one being the 2YO half-brother to triple Group I winner and $4million earner Le Romain and the other a blue-blooded 3YO import by champion sire Pivotal, both will be going in my Breednet Black Book!

Michael Freedman puts the polish on Astern colt Backrower, who has shown good potential in two recent trials and found the line with enthusiasm to win the 1200m maiden by half a length running away.

A $200,000 Inglis Easter purchase for his trainer from the Edinglassie Stud draft, Backrower was the highest priced colt by Astern sold in 2021.

Backrower was an impressive looking yearling.

He is the fourth winner from Mignard, a winning Strategic mare whose yearling filly by Justify (USA) was offered at Inglis Easter this year by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm and sold for $300,000 to Bahen Bloodstock / Lees Racing.

Astute trainer Matthew Smith looks to have a very interesting horse on his hands in Miracle Spin (GB), a 3YO gelding by Pivotal that was bought from the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book Two for 100,000 guineas by Kern/Lillingston Association / John Foote Bloodstock.
 

A barrier trial winner last month at Warwick Farm, he was backed from $12 to $8 in the 1400m maiden and vindicated the faith shown by that support in producing an eye catching win.

Allowed to settle back from a wide draw, he powered to the line to win by nearly three lengths.

Miracle Spin is a full brother to Irish Group III winner and Group I Irish Derby fourth place-getter Earlswood, who is now in Australia and won the Group III MRC Carlyon Cup at his only run her last spring for Maddie Raymond.

He is the fourth winner from Group II placed Galileo mare Field of Miracles, a sibling to Group II winner Solid Stone and stakes-winner Cameron Highland.



Pivotal and Galileo have  quite an affinity with each other and combine in the pedigrees of 39 stakes-winners, 12 of them Group I winners including champions St Mark’s Basilica, Sottsass, Magical, Love, Cracksman and Aussie dual Group I winner Hungry Heart.




 

Advertisment

Race Result - Newcastle Skin Check Mdn Hcp 1200m

Newcastle Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:14.14
1
Backrower
- 2c Astern (AUS) x Mignard (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: R Hutchings 57
2
0.5
Huon
- 3g Kermadec (NZ) x Cataclysm (AUS) (Marauding (NZ))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Innes Jnr 59.5
3
1.8
Dirty Merchant
- 2c Merchant Navy (AUS) x Onemorezeta (AUS) (Onemorenomore (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: S Guymer 56.5
4
3.2
Metallicity
- 2c Zoustar (AUS) x Captivating Claire (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Mitchell Bell 59.5
5
3.9
Dishin 'n' Dancin
- 3g Spill The Beans (AUS) x Ballet Shoes (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J M Austin Rdr: Ms J Taylor 59
6
5.1
Feirme Prince
- 3g Shalaa (IRE) x Street Queen (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: Jean Van Overmeire 59
7
5.4
Airraid
- 3g Manhattan Rain (AUS) x Skyrockets (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: A Adkins 60
8
16.7
Sulmaher
- 3g Al Maher (AUS) x Casula Gal (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: L Magorrian 59
9
17.3
Al Ash Lad
- 3g Al Maher (AUS) x Ashamika (FR) (Linamix (FR))
Tnr: M J Dunn Rdr: Ms W Costin 59
More Reading...
Blueblood Taste of Heaven Set for Magic Millions Digital Sale
One of the country's best bred broodmares, who is also a proven stakes producer, is one of the early highlights for the upcoming first Magic Millions Digital Sale.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 18
Here is the full list of 130 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
How Many Everests Can Ka Ying Rising Win?
Trainer David Hayes has confirmed another tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) is on the cards for Ka Ying Rising after the Hong Kong star underlined his champion status with an Everest victory for the ages on Saturday.
Consistent Rey Magnerio Cracks $1m With G2 Victory
Fresh appears best for Robbie Griffiths’ Magnus gelding Rey Magnerio as the 6yo charged late to win the $300,000 Group 2 MRC Herald Sun Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday, his third win from four first up runs.
Perth Summer Star for So You Think
Ascot carnival contenders were out in force for the G3 Eurythmic Stakes over 1400m on Saturday and the winner was a son of So You Think that has serious summer ambitions.
Proven Galloper Private Eye Wins G3 Moonga Stakes With Ease
On this day for the past few years, Joe Pride’s Private Eye has taken part in the Everest, having finished second, third and sixth respectively, but connections decided on Melbourne this year where the 8yo took his earnings soaring past $12.6m with an easy victory in the Group 3 MRC Moonga Stakes (1400m).
Stakes Winning Return for Playing God Sprinter
Quality sprinter Rope Them In produced his trademark first up burst of acceleration to claim a second stakes victory in a thrilling finish to the Listed RS Crawford Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
Pedigree Watch - British Champions Day – Expect the Unexpected
Five G1 races were contested at Ascot overnight as the British flat season culminated with a dazzling day of racing, but there were shocks and surprises with only two favourites saluting on a day which was significant back in 2023 as the last time Via Sistina (IRE) raced in the Northern Hemisphere.
Freedom Flame Gives Harry Perks Eighth Hill Smith Stakes Win
While many felt leading South Australian breeder Harry Perks would provider the winner of Saturday’s Listed SAJC Hill Smith Stakes (1800m), it was the outsider of his trio that took the race, as 3yo Ghaiyyath filly Freedom Flame proved too strong in the run to the line at Morphettville.
Smart Hanseatic Winner on Sunday
Platinum Pantheon was a long way from home when he stepped out at Ashburton on Sunday, but that didn’t stop the sharp three-year-old from dominating his maiden rivals in the McCrea Family 1200.