Newlook storms to win in Chairman's Quality boosting Sydney Cup bid

The French recruit Newlook notched his maiden Australian success with a robust staying display, annexing the Group 2 $300,000 Chairman's Quality (2600m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Newlook, under the care of trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, had been out of the placings in five earlier local runs but relished the soft going to prevail with dominance.

Newlook's victory sets him up nicely for a crack at the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in a week's time.

As Chairman's Quality winner, Newlook bypasses ballot and penalties for the Sydney Cup, positioned superbly on 50kg.

Newlook ($8.50), with Rachel King in the irons, closed with menace centrally to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Campaldino ($7), who held second by the same from Juja Kibo ($3.70 equal favourite), while Travolta ($3.70 equal favourite) was right there in fourth. King drew positivity from Newlook's last-out closing fifth in the Manion Cup.

"I was confident he would take good improvement from his last start, he was only second up there,'' King said.

"He still probably blew out at the 50m, I thought I was going to win easy at the furlong but he just got a little bit tired.'

"But he'll take good improvement again, I galloped him during the week and was confident he would run well over this distance."

Newlook stands poised to emulate the 10th to land the Chairman's Quality-Sydney Cup combo, emulating Circle Of Fire (2024), The Offer (2014), Jessicabeel (2010), No Wine No Song (2008), Henderson Bay (2002), Linesman (1997), King Aussie (1990), Major Drive (1987) and Marooned (1986).

Brisbane Cup victor from last June, Campaldino, signalled prime Sydney Cup readiness via his brave second placing.

Importantly, Campaldino lightens up from 59kg to 52.5kg for next Saturday's Randwick 3200m showdown.

Tim Clark, Campaldino's pilot, lauded the gelding's sharp Sydney Cup workout.

"He bounced back to form today,'' Clark said."Then next Saturday with a few kilos less he is going to be hard to beat."

Craig Williams, steering Ciaron Maher's Juja Kibo, sees upside for his mount entering the 2026 Sydney Cup.

"He has run really well again and ahead of his 'Grand Final' next week,'' Williams said. "It is all part of Ciaron's preparation with today's run into the Cup in seven days.'"

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