PRICE AND AGE MIGHT VARY – BUT WINNERS JUST THE SAME

THEY were at opposite ends of the purchase price as yearlings – and it’s the same with their racing careers!

Irrespective, both mares were winners at their home track at Newcastle yesterday.

Having only her fourth start – and first since joining Kris Lees’ team – four-year-old Oakfield Neptune (Aaron Bullock) was too good her rivals in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) against her own sex as a heavily backed $1.70 favorite.

Age isn’t worrying rising eight-year-old Rothrock (Lee Magorrian), who made it back to back wins at home for Paul Perry in the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1870m) at $8.50.

Owner Bruce Mackenzie shelled out $650,000 to secure Oakfield Neptune, a daughter of Deep Field, at the 2023 Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast.

Perry paid considerably less ($30,000) to buy Rothrock, a daughter of Scissor Kick, at Book 2 of the same sale three years earlier.

Oakfield Neptune had no problem coping with a heavy track for her resumption yesterday.

She had handled a ‘Heavy 8’ surface on debut when taking a 3YO Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Newcastle in June last year.

Oakfield Neptune, having her first start since last August, was readied for yesterday’s return with placings in trials (second both times) at Muswellbrook and the Beaumont track.

Bullock quickly took up the running on the mare, and she never looked likely to be challenged in the straight, comfortably defeating Rothrock’s stablemate Bakerloo ($7.50) and the winner’s stablemate Naughty Nurse ($14).

Whereas Oakfield Neptune is a “rookie” in terms of racing experience, such is certainly not the case with Rothrock.

She was lining up for her 60^th start yesterday, and posted win number nine (she has also been placed on 13 occasions), bursting between runners in the straight to score convincingly.

Banyan Tree and Jack Duggan, both $8.50 chances, filled the minor placings.

Ironically, both the first and second placegetters were ridden 0.5kg overweight by Magorrian and Mitchell Bell respectively.

Rothrock’s three wins at home have all been around the 1800-1900m distance.

She had been successful in a Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m) three weeks earlier at $31.

Fellow Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle was the other provincial winner at yesterday’s meeting – and with an impressive debutante.

Apprentice Will Stanley partnered Zoustar three-year-old Zouboy ($3.40 favorite) who overpowered his opposition in the 3YO & Up Maiden Handicap (900m).

Zouboy, who didn’t race as a two-year-old, looked the goods in defeating Unjust ($14) and $71 bolter Run The Red Light.

Aaron Bullock was the leading rider at last week’s two-day Scone Cup carnival and it was no different the Gunnedah Cup meeting today.

Bullock racked up four winners (all favorites), including the Big Dance Eligibility Cup (1600m) on $1.35 hotpot Tavros, one of his many Scone winners.

His others were Portofino ($1.40), Indi Springs ($1.85), and Ellofadude ($2.25).

Bullock has ridden 11 winners, including a Newcastle double yesterday, from his last 23 rides.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY24, 20026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS