CAMERON HANDICAP LIKELY FOR MATCHA LATTE

NEWCASTLE’S Cameron Handicap is a likely next target for the talented Matcha

Latte, who opens a new campaign at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

Matcha Latte’s regular jockey Ash Morgan, back in the city spotlight with a midweek Warwick Farm double, partners the gelding in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m).

Wyong trainer Nacim Dilmi has opted for Randwick rather than the Big Dance Eligibility Goulburn Cup (1400m) on Sunday.

“The 1200m is a bit short for Matcha Latte, but in the past he won over 1300m fresh as a three-year-old,” Dilmi said today.

“Because of his previous dramas, I was very cautious with Matcha Latte last time in work. But the vets and farrier are very happy with him this time, and I am able to train him properly."

“I wanted Ash to give Matcha Latte a good hitout in his latest 1000m trial at Rosehill Gardens on August 7, which he won, and he responded well. It’s just down the road to Randwick, and it’s only a small field for the Show County."

“If he can run in the ‘Top 3’, we have a few options going forward. There’s the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on September 5, and the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 18. If we want to go down the Big Dance path ($3m 1600m feature at Randwick on November 3), then the Cameron is the logical option as it carries eligibility for that.”

This would be the second occasion Matcha Latte has a crack at Newcastle’s feature spring sprint. With previous trainer Sara Ryan, he ran a cracking second to Victorian visitor Here To Shock in the 2024 edition at his first start in 18 months.

Whilst Matcha Latte isn’t going to Goulburn on Sunday, stablemate Piperita is.

She will contest the Guy Walter F&M Class 3 Handicap (1300m), and Alysha Collett has the mount.

“Piperita is also an acceptor for a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle tomorrow, but the Goulburn race against her own sex in a smaller field looks more suitable,” Dilmi said.

“I expect her to run well.”

Fellow Wyong trainer Jake Hull takes the promising Ferinzo to town for the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m).

Tim Clark rode the lightly-raced five-year-old (three wins from five starts) in a recent Rosehill 1030m trial success, and partners him in a race for the first time.

Hull has reported to RacingNSW stewards a subsequent vet examination of stablemate Valilee, who resumed when a tiring 11th in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm last Wednesday as a $3.70 second favorite, revealed the presence of mucus in the trachea, which may have impacted on his performance.

Hawkesbury’s premier trainer Brad Widdup takes his classy mare Savvy Hallie (Nash Rawiller) back to the races tomorrow for another clash with Apocalyptic (Tommy Berry) in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m).

Savvy Hallie is currently a $3.80 second favorite with TAB.com.au behind Apocalyptic ($2.25), and has finished ahead of her in two of their three meetings. STORY BY JOHN CURTIS, AUGUST 21, 2026. PIC BRADLEY PHOTOS