Clark Steels for The Hunter assignment
Jockey Tim Clark will be carrying the hopes of a town when he links with Kris Lees to partner the only locally trained runner in Newcastle’s showcase race of the year.
With the scratching of Uzziah, Rustic Steel is the sole Novacastrian in Saturday’s The Hunter (1300m) as the gelding bids to give Lees his maiden win in the $1 million race following a trio of placings with Wandabaa (2021), Special Reward (2020) and Tactical Advantage (2019).
It will be Clark’s first ride on Rustic Steel, who will need to adjust to a 200m distance drop from his victory in the Ladies Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury on November 7.
“He won well at Hawkesbury, albeit over 1500, so he’s got to come back in distance,” Clark said.
“But he’s got a good draw (barrier three) and there could be good pressure in the race with Coal Crusher drawing wide and Phearson, if he begins well, has got good speed.
“They should make it a genuine tempo. He’s going to get a soft run just back off that and having that 1500 metre run, he’s going to be really strong at the back end of it if it is a hard-run 1300.”
Rustic Steel headlines a handy card of eight rides for the top jockey, who will also partner The Three Hundred for Tulloch Lodge trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) and Queensland Cup winner Nikau Spur in the Listed The Beauford (2300m).
The Three Hundred’s stablemate Ganbare also features on Clark’s book and he is hoping the stakes performer can revive his best form in the Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m) after a disappointing first-up effort.
Clark has trialled the horse since and wants to see him stand up and be counted at Newcastle.
“He didn’t do a lot there first-up and I thought he could have done a little bit more in his trial also,” Clark said.
“It has taken a bit of time to build his fitness.
“He’s a winner of the Dulcify (Stakes) and he ran well through that Spring Champion prep then came back and was close up (in fourth) behind Riff Rocket in that Rosehill Guineas.
“If he can get back to that form, it would make him very competitive in this race.”
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...