This Saturday, March 6, the famous Flemington racecourse in Melbourne is set to host one of the biggest and most exciting race meetings of the year – the Super Saturday of Racing.
An incredible seven group status races will light-up the track including the $1 million Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
The illustrious sprint event has drawn a final field of 19 brilliant sprinters including the pre-race favourite All Silent, currently at $5 with Sportsbet.com.au.
Prepared by Grahame Begg, the six-year-old Belong To Me gelding is returning to the Flemington track following his international campaign that saw him place eighth in the Hong Kong Sprint back in December. Prior to his overseas stint, All Silent had a stunning spring season in Melbourne including a win in the Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m).
All Silent has drawn wide on Saturday and will jump from barrier 17 with Nicholas Hall aboard.
Other top contenders for the 2010 Newmarket Handicap include three-year-old Choisir colt Starspangledbanner (Br.9), Eagle Falls (Br. 8), the lightly raced but super impressive King Pulse (Br. 5) and the David Hayes-trained Lightning Stakes winner Nicconi in barrier 16.
The Leon Corstens-trained Starspangledbanner is the current second favourite at $7 after his impressive Group 1 Oakleigh Plate victory last start, followed by four-year-old Eagle Falls at $9.
Drawn ideally in the coveted barrier one is the Mick Price-trained Light Fantastic. The five-year-old son of Danehill Dancer will be ridden by big race specialist Craig Newitt on Saturday and is currently a $21 chance.
Prolific Caulfield trainer Peter Moody has four-horse strong contingent in the 2010 Newmarket Handicap with Duporth (Br. 11), Headway (Br. 6), Tickets (Br. 14) and Wanted (Br. 7) coming off a string of close minor placings in the Group races including runner-up in the William Reid Stakes and Lightning Stakes.
Some of the other thrilling races that will take place on the day include the $750, 000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (Race 3) and the $1 million Group 1 Darley Australian Cup (Race 6).
The 2010 Newmarket Handicap is scheduled as race seven at Flemington on Saturday.
2010 Newmarket Handicap Final Field & Barrier Draw:
No. |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Barrier Weight(kg) |
HandicapperRating |
|
| 1 |
ALL SILENT |
Grahame Begg | Nicholas Hall | 17 | 57 | 117 |
| 2 |
EL SEGUNDO (NZ) |
Colin Little | – | 13 | 56.5 | 116 |
| 3 |
NICCONI |
David Hayes | Damien Oliver | 16 | 56 | 115 |
| 4 |
TURFFONTEIN |
Anthony Cummings | – | 2 | 55.5 | 114 |
| 5 |
LIGHT FANTASTIC |
Mick Price | Craig Newitt | 1 | 54 | 109 |
| 6 |
STARSPANGLEDBANNER |
Leon Corstens | Danny Nikolic | 9 | 53.5 | 115 |
| 7 |
CANNONBALL (USA) |
Gai Waterhouse | Steven King | 15 | 53 | 107 |
| 8 |
DUPORTH |
Peter G Moody | Dwayne Dunn | 11 | 53 | 107 |
| 9 |
ARINOS |
David Jolly | James Winks | 12 | 52.5 | 105 |
| 10 |
EAGLE FALLS |
David Hayes | Kerrin McEvoy | 8 | 52.5 | 105 |
| 11 |
FIVE CAR STUD |
Anthony Cummings | – | 3 | 52 | 78 |
| 12 |
GRAN SASSO |
Mick Price | Chris Symons | 19 | 52 | 102 |
| 13 |
WANTED |
Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 7 | 51.5 | 109 |
| 14 |
HEADWAY |
Peter G Moody | Clare Lindop | 6 | 50 | 107 |
| 15 |
KING PULSE |
Michael Moroney | Stephen Baster | 5 | 50 | 95 |
| 16 |
SHELLSCRAPE |
Chris Waller | Glen Boss | 18 | 50 | 103 |
| 17 |
TICKETS |
Peter G Moody | Jason Benbow | 14 | 50 | 99 |
| 18 |
TOLLESPRIT |
Shane Fliedner | Jason Maskiell | 4 | 50 | 94 |
| 19 |
TRUSTING |
John P Thompson | Craig Williams | 10 | 50 | 103 |
