SMART NEWCASTLE 3YO RESUMES AS A GELDING

LIGHTLY-RACED Damien begins his three-year-old season at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow as a gelding.

A winner twice from six starts, the son of Hellbent resumes in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m), and Tyler Schiller takes the mount.

“With only 52.5kg, it’s like Tyler still being able to claim an allowance,” Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“Damien trailed well twice last month after being gelded, and this race looks to set up nicely for him.

“Whilst he doesn’t work in blinkers, he wears them in races and goes well.”

Damien last raced when sixth to subsequent Group 1 Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy in the Listed Tatts 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 28.

He ran third to so far better performed stablemate Memoria in a 1000m Newcastle trial on October 9 before trouncing four rivals in another 1000m trial on the Beaumont track 19 days later.

Lees also has Brave Call (Tommy Berry) and Bestower (Schiller) in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill.

“Bestower also is an acceptor for a Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (2000m) at Hawkesbury, and a decision is yet to be made where she will go,” Greer said.

“Her last run at Scone has to be overlooked.

“Brave Call is back from Queensland, where his two runs this campaign at Doomben and Eagle Farm were good.

“He has drawn nicely and is a definite winning prospect.”

Lees also accepted with Kind Words (Dylan Gibbons) in the $2m Five Diamonds (1800m) for five-year-olds, but she drew awkwardly.

“Kind Words’ two runs back have been good, being placed first-up on the Kensington track over 1400m (behind subsequent Flemington carnival winner Dance To The Boom) on October 9, and then runner-up on a heavy Rosehill track over 1900m on October 29,” Greer said.

Lees is attempting to win the $200,000 Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury for a second year running.

He was successful last year with Rustic Steel, and starts Loch Eagle (Aaron Bullock) in tomorrow’s renewal.

“Loch Eagle never got into the race when resuming at Randwick last month, but has won three times second up,” Greer said.

“He has drawn awkwardly but gets back anyway and can come with a sweeping run.”

The stable will start both Thundering Soul (Damien Thornton) in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m) and Inver Park (Andrew Mallyon) in the Open Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

“Blinkers go back on Thundering Soul,” Greer said.

“He was caught wide last time in a race at Doomben which was slowly run early and quickened late.

“From a good draw in a field already reduced to nine with many scratchings, hopefully he can hold a spot close to the lead and be very competitive.

“Inver Park was to have raced over 1600m at Eagle Farm last Saturday, but didn’t get the chance when a thunderstorm put paid to the last four races.

“He also had drawn well and his last run when runner-up at the Gold Coast was full of merit.”

HOOFNOTE: Whilst Kind Words is the sole provincial representative in the Five Diamonds, Hawkesbury trainers have strong representation in both the $1m Golden Gift (1100m) for two-year-olds, and Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares.

Brad Widdup (Anthropoid), Terry Croft (Thrill Hunter), Ed O’Rourke (Predation) and Tommy Wong (Rapid Progress) all go to the Golden Gift, whilst Mike Van Gestel runs Dark Glitter in the Hot Danish.

Story John Curtis, November 7, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos