PROVINCIAL NOMS LIGHT ON FOR MUSWELLBROOK CUP

IT was run at Newcastle last year and won by a Newcastle trainer.

But it’s long odds the $150,000 ACorp Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) will stay in the hands of a provincial trainer this year.

Because of wet weather, last year’s Cup had to be transferred to Broadmeadow and was won by the now Group 1 winning trainer Nathan Doyle with Overriding, ridden by Ben Looker.

In a Newcastle quinella result the day after the race was scheduled to be run, Overriding ($6) defeated Kris Lees’ Kinloch ($4.40) on a “Soft 7” surface.

Neither Doyle nor Lees figured amongst trainer’s nominations when they closed today for Muswellbrook’s richest race.

Muswellbrook Race Club received 33 entries for the Cup – and only four are from provincial stables.

Newcastle’s David Atkins has nominated Promitto, Wyong pair Sara Ryan and Kristen Buchanan have Roma Avenue and Invasive Dreams (pictured above) respectively, and Hawkesbury’s Jason and Lucy Attard nominated Oh Golly Gosh.

Weights for the Big Dance Eligibility Gold Cup will be issued on Tuesday morning, and ballot order will be vital as the field will be limited to 14 runners with provision for six emergencies when acceptances are taken at 9am on Wednesday.

New Muswellbrook general manager Christine Williams reported a fine day today (with a Good 4 track rating), and is keen for the same weather to continue all week.

She took up the role eight months ago, and is looking forward to hosting her first Cup and was pleased to announce ACorp had won the naming rights as a member of the Gold Sponsors’ Club.

“We have had good support from local businesses, and ACorp became the successful Cup sponsor when the draw was made at a special pre-Cup function,” Ms Williams said.

“ACorp began as a local business dealing with computers, and now has branches everywhere.

“ACorp has been sponsoring with us for nine years, so it’s great to see them win the rights to the Gold Cup.”

Three other local businesses will also have their names attached to races at Friday’s meeting as members of the Gold Sponsors’ Club.

They are Muswellbrook Golf Club, Denbrook Thoroughbreds (a first time sponsor), and Rosevale Angus Stud.

Along with the Gold Cup, other features include the Horsepower Skellatar Sprint (1000m) and BHP Mt Arthur Wayne Harris Handicap (1280m).

Twenty-eight horses have been entered for the Skellatar of which eight are from provincial stables, and there are also eight provincial entries in the 23 nominated for the Wayne Harris.

Story John Curtis, March 24, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos