NEWCASTLE trainer Mark Minervini will have his first Sydney Group 1 runner following Hosier’s Newcastle Gold Cup placing yesterday.
And his Cup jockey Jason Collett is keen to stick with him in the $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.
Hosier ($11) was beaten only three-quarters of a length when third to Military Mission ($16) in the $300,000 Group 3 Gold Cup (2300m), which was run in track record time of 2.22.40.
Delighted with the gelding’s performance, especially considering he gave the winner 2.5kg, expatriate South Australian Minervini is looking forward to his first starter at racing’s elite level in Sydney.
“Hosier was very gallant, and has come through the Cup well other than understandably being a bit tired,” Minervini said.
“He had a swim this morning and a pick of grass, and I’ll give him a few easy days.
“Jason (Collett) is keen to stay with Hosier in The Metropolitan, and told me afterwards to hold off looking for another rider.
“Hosier drops from 56.5kg to 53kg, and Jason usually doesn’t ride at the latter weight and perhaps will be half a kilogram over.
“He knows the horse well and rides him well, and obviously we would like to have him on the horse again on Saturday week.
“Jason was full of praise for the track condition yesterday, but hopefully we can get some rain leading into Saturday week’s race.”
The former Irish gelding’s third placing ($27,250) lifted his earnings to just over $211,000 since Minervini purchased him online in late May for $100,000 and syndicated him amongst clients.
Whereas Hosier drops 3.5kg in The Metropolitan, Gold Cup winner Military Mission is eligible for a penalty.
He currently has 50kg after carrying the 54kg limit yesterday.
Last year’s Newcastle Cup winner Durston carried 55.5kg before finishing sixth in The Metropolitan with 53kg and then won the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with 51.5kg.
Fellow Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ pair Kalapour and Cleveland started $4.40 joint favorites, but were never in contention from the two outside barriers in the capacity line-up of 16, finishing seventh and ninth respectively.
Both jockeys Damien Oliver (Kalapour) and Ben Melham (Cleveland) told RacingNSW stewards they were obliged to go back in the field to obtain cover because of their awkward draws, and in the circumstances weren’t disappointed with their mounts’ performances.
Whilst Cleveland was out of luck, his strapper Brad Williams at least came up trumps.
He won the Tom Wallace Memorial Award (sponsored by Provincial RacingNSW.com.au) for the best presented horse in the Cup, and received his trophy from the late jockey’s son Darryl (pictured).
Tom Wallace, who passed away in 2014 at 96 years of age, won the 1937 Newcastle Cup as an apprentice on Tapestry.
*Words John Curtis, September 16, 2023 - Pics Supplied*
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