Rustic Steel wins the Newcastle Stakes as Jimmysstar beaten again
Kris Lees continued his recent dominance of the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes as Rustic Steel provided the local trainer with his fifth win in the 1400-metre feature in the past six editions.
Ridden by Sam Clipperton , the six-year-old speared to the lead in the early stages to overcome being posted out wide having started from barrier nine.
It was from that point and into the straight that the race was in Clipperton’s keeping as Rustic Steel ($12) dashed away from his rivals.
Race favourite Jimmysstar ($1.85) finished outside of the placings after being caught four-back on the rails after which jockey Tyler Schiller was unable to find a gap for the hyped four-year-old to make an impression.
“On paper it didn’t look like a fast run race,” Lees said.
“He’s won before winning The Coast (1600m) on speed but when he got across and was able to show a good turn-of-foot at the top of the straight, he was always going to be hard to run down.”
First-up since finishing eighth in the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick on December 9, a run which Lees described as flat.
“He’s got that residual fitness and ran a couple of nice trials.”
Rustic Steel won be more than three-lengths over Sharp Shock ($201) with Imatruestar ($101) in third with the winner’s stablemate Ucalledit ($18) in third.
Pre-race, trainer Ciaron Maher had indicated that the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at Rosehill on March 30 would be Jimmysstar’s next assignment.
Jimmysstar is rated a $26 chance with betting apps for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April with Rustic Steel at $101.
Doncaster Mile favourite Think About It takes on the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...