Soul Of Spain strikes in the 2025 Newcastle Cup
Soul Of Spain strengthened his growing reputation with a determined victory in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2350m) on Friday, booking his spot among the favourites for upcoming Group 1 features.
Chris Waller’s stayer, backed into $2.45 favouritism, camped just off the speed before Zac Lloyd urged him through along the rails to edge out Royal Supremacy ($3.90) by half a length. Travolta ($3.40) ensured a Waller quinella by running on strongly for third. The win handed Waller his seventh Newcastle Cup in 11 years, keeping him within striking distance of Gai Waterhouse’s record of eight.
Stable representative Zane Jones hailed the gelding’s steady progression. “Every time Chris raises the bar, he just seems to jump through it,” Jones said. “He’s got plenty of upside, he’s lightly raced, he’s continuing to build a good record. It was a run full of merit the other day, and we were under no illusions that it was a harder assignment today, but he’s passed with flying colours.”
Now equal favourite at $6 for the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m), Soul Of Spain impressed Lloyd with his ability to adapt under different conditions. “He’s a pleasure to ride,” Lloyd said. “With such a slow tempo, I thought it could favour the other runners in the race but he quickened very well and never felt like getting beat.”
Elsewhere on the program, the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) was taken out by Joseph Pride’s Headley Grange ($6), who secured a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m). Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, the gelding set a new track record of 1:28.32, continuing his formidable record with the jockey of five wins from six rides. Pride said: “I thought if he had a weakness it was going to be firm tracks but he’s put that to bed. He’s got a nomination for the Epsom so we might go to the Big Dance via the Epsom.”
Bettors can follow both Soul Of Spain and Headley Grange through Australia’s leading betting sites, with markets already open for The Metropolitan and Epsom Handicap.
More Racing News
Fitness test awaits Campaldino for Sydney Cup entry
Prospective Sydney Cup runner Campaldino requires clearance from a fitness assessment to join the two-mile event at Randwick, after routine vet checks detected cardiac arrhythmia.Co-trainer Adrian Bott mentioned the absence of any such concern post his second place in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) on Saturday, with the gelding showing no...
Sadler targets Black Type with Merrigold at Caulfield
Trainer John Sadler is on track to seek crucial Black Type for the mare Merrigold during Caulfield action.Having claimed victory in a benchmark 84 event at 1400m on Caulfield's track last Saturday, Sadler has his sights on the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) set for Caulfield this Saturday.Sadler mentioned Merrigold is...
Sydney prizes beckon for Ben Brisbourne after breakthrough Group Two
Ben Brisbourne, fresh from his debut Group Two triumph, shows no signs of slowing down as he pursues more wins in the two-year-old division.From his base in Wangaratta, the trainer intends to run his minimally experienced filly Salann in Saturday's Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) at Randwick, eyeing a potential tilt...
Sydney Cup next for Melbourne Cup-bound Whisky On The Hill
Whisky On The Hill holds a guaranteed spot in the Melbourne Cup, prompting some to consider steering clear of handicapper pressure by passing on the Sydney Cup.Trainer Glen Thompson chatted about this with the ownership syndicate, but the better decision prevailed over avoiding challenge, so the reliable stayer lines up...
Ipswich hosts Cool Music's next challenge
The holiday racing spotlight falls on Ipswich in Queensland, where trainer Bryan Dais expects Cool Music to advance and reveal the ability he envisions for her future.Carrying 60 kilos in benchmark 58, Cool Music looks set to strike as she moves down from midweek to provincial in Monday's Barrier Reef...
Tempted and Marhoona set to renew rivalry in Arrowfield Sprint
Marhoona and Tempted share a 1-1 record, but bragging rights are up for grabs as the fillies renew hostilities post last year's Golden Slipper during Day Two of The Championships at Randwick.Last-start Group 1 conquerors both, the pair will lock horns in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) next Saturday at...
Gin Twist's future rests on upcoming track gallop
Whether Gin Twist pushes ahead for one more race or takes a spell will be settled by a gallop on the track.If she impresses during Monday's track work, the Lindsay Park two-year-old filly could head to the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes (1200m) over 1200m at Caulfield this coming Saturday.Gin Twist...
Baker and King etch Australian Derby success with Green Spaces victory
Baker fulfilled a lifelong ambition with the Derby conquest, mirroring his dad, the celebrated Kiwi handler Murray Baker, responsible for five triumphs in the prestigious Randwick showpiece.Among Australia's longest-standing major events, the Derby began in 1861 alongside the debut Melbourne Cup taken by Archer.Baker disclosed plans to enter Green Spaces...
Dominant Doncaster Mile win for Sheza Alibi
The seasoned trainer Peter Moody was not often emotional during Black Caviar's tenure, but he was visibly moved after Sheza Alibi's impressive conquest of the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.Starting from close to the tail of the 16-horse lineup, the $1.90 top pick looked to have plenty of work to...
Gelding Hughes smashes Caulfield record in Victoria Handicap
Racing moves at a rapid pace over 12 months.A year back, the gelding Hughes took out a benchmark 70 over 1400m at Caulfield soon after joining trainer Gavin Bedggood. This Saturday saw him become a Group 3 victor in the Victoria Handicap (1400m), breaking the track record in the bargain.Ridden...