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
Boomtown Boss heads south for Flemington's Aurie's Star Handicap challenge
Tony Gollan, a Brisbane-based trainer, has dispatched Boomtown Boss, a capable gelding, to Melbourne with the intention of broadening the horse's horizons ahead of his first-up attempt in the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.The Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap, a 1200-metre contest, might serve as the initial step...
Home Affairs Dominates Freshman Sire Premiership
The season is winding down, and Home Affairs is set to be crowned Australia's Champion First-Season Sire. Coolmore's exciting young stallion has produced a remarkable debut crop that has significantly exceeded expectations.While the final tally for his stallion premierships won't be confirmed until the season's close, one major accolade has...
Funshow ready for Saturday grade challenge
With the spring carnival on the horizon, trainer Nathan Doyle is eager to seize the moment by testing progressive gelding Funshow in Saturday metropolitan races.The son of Cosmic Force, who has impressively won his last two outings by a combined 6-1/2 lengths, is slated for a Benchmark 72 race over...
Sobek set for Rosehill debut as Singleton anticipates Highway Handicap success
Trainer Scott Singleton has grown accustomed to Sobek's winning ways and is keen to unveil the undefeated gelding in metropolitan racing this weekend.Sobek is scheduled to make his city debut at Rosehill's season-opening meeting on Saturday. The talented four-year-old has been nominated for two 1200-metre events: the $160,000 Benchmark 72...
Spring Preparations Commence for Planet Red and Sabaj
Although Planet Red and Sabaj have distinct goals for the spring racing season, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained geldings might cross paths during their preparations.The two horses completed their initial jumpouts of the campaign on Monday morning at Cranbourne.Sabaj finished third, less than two lengths behind the winner...
Farewell to a Champion: Stern Idol's Final Race Approaches
The illustrious career of champion jumper Stern Idol is nearing its conclusion, with one final outing planned for the Crisp Steeplechase next Sunday.Stern Idol is set to vie for his fourth victory in the Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) before being retired from racing.Trainer Ciaron Maher was effusive in his praise for...
Autumn Boy's Spring Campaign: Unfinished Business Awaits
Prominent trainer Chris Waller believes star colt Autumn Boy has unfinished business to attend to this spring, with the intention to achieve what his father, The Autumn Sun, could not.The Autumn Sun, also trained by Waller, boasts an impressive record of eight wins from nine starts before his retirement at...
Cosmic Crusader dominates Bletchingly Stakes in first start for Andrea Leek
A former Perth galloper, Cosmic Crusader, has made an immediate impact on the eastern seaboard, claiming the season's final Stakes race at Caulfield.In his inaugural start for the Andrea Leek stable, Cosmic Crusader captured the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. This victory follows his second-place finish in the...
Rock Empire stages remarkable comeback win at Randwick
Narbold appeared to have the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1600m) in the bag when it sprinted clear of Rock Empire, however, the latter displayed immense grit to fight back and snatch the lead in the final strides. While Maher was absent from Randwick on Saturday, his dependable stable lieutenant, Johann...
Sir Les impresses with dominant Randwick victory
Trainer Craig Carmody, who experienced significant jockeying triumphs at Randwick, has leveraged his past expertise to guide the promising sprinter Sir Les to an important win at the iconic venue.Carmody's career as a jockey was highlighted by his partnership with the Group 1 winner Intergaze, famously spoiling Octagonal's swansong in...