PROMISING YOUNG SPRINTER READY FOR CITY DEBUT

SCONE first, then Port Macquarie…..and Rosehill Gardens is next!

Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s racing manager David Dyson readily admits it’s a massive jump for unbeaten three-year-old Better Late to tackle city grade on Saturday at only his third start – but says there are a couple of factors why the rookie young sprinter gets his chance to clear such a hurdle.

“Obviously it is a huge jump going from a Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) at Port Macquarie to a Saturday race in town,” Dyson said today.

“However he is back against his own age, and gave weight to his rivals when he won last time.

“He had a wide run in a small field, but still got the job done.

“Better Late drops to 54.5kg, and this is the right time to try him in town.”

A son of international star Maurice, the colt began his career at Scone last August by easily winning a 900m Maiden Plate on heavy ground.

Doyle gave him two trials in December since returning to prepare for that first-up triumph at Port Macquarie.

Ash Morgan will continue his so far successful association with Better Late in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) for three-year-olds.

Doyle also has Aroha Stone (Regan Bayliss) lining up at Rosehill in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m) against her own sex, and the stable has advised punters to completely forget her last start defeat in town.

After scoring first-up on the Beaumont track in a Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1350m) on December 6, she ran last to Miss Spacegirl in a 1400m F&M Benchmark 78 at Royal Randwick on January 3.

The stewards’ report tells the story, explaining Aroha Stone was held up in the early part of the home straight that day and was checked passing the 300m (a rival jockey was subsequently suspended).

“Dylan Gibbons eased Aroha Stone out of the race when she copped the interference and lost all chance of being in the finish,” Dyson said.

“The mare has done well since and is ready to go back to the races.”

Doyle also has Hellfire Express and Duvana in the 1500m Benchmark 78 Handicap, and both drew awkwardly.

“We’ll wait and see how many scratchings there are, but at this stage Hellfire Express is likely to run, and Duvana will be kept for another day,” Dyson said.

Doyle, who is attending the Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast, has Wooloowin (Tyler Schiller) lining up in the $1m F&M 1300m at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Wooloowin resumed at Randwick on December 27 when fourth to Super Norwest over 1200m.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ double on the Beaumont track today gave provincial stables the last four races.

Lees scored with Herman Said ($3.70) in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1250m), and Miss Busslinger ($2.60) in the F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).

Dylan Gibbons didn’t hesitate to take Herman Said to the front soon after the jump, whilst stable apprentice Will Stanley took advantage of a rails run on straightening to get Miss Busslinger back into winning form.

Fellow Newcastle trainer Paul Perry took the CG&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m) with $13 chance Angara after a dashing Anna Roper ride left rivals chasing a long way from home.

Gosford trainer Jake Hull underlined his skill with a superb performance to score first-up with the promising Firenzo ($1.70 favorite) in the Class 1 Handicap (1150m).

Ridden by Josh Parr, the now four-year-old had not raced since bolting away with the Springboard To Fame Plate (1175m) for two-year-olds at the Grafton carnival in July 2024.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 15, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS