The Newcastle Gold Cup 2017 takes centre stage in Broadmeadow this afternoon, a quality field of spring stayers set to face off in the event including the flying Darren Weir-trained Pacodali chasing a fourth win on the trot.
Darren Weir’s in-form Pacodali is narrow favourite in 2017 Newcastle Gold Cup betting this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Punters are treated to an outstanding Newcastle race card across the afternoon with a host of Group status races including the meeting’s marquee event – the Group 3 $175,000 XXXX Gold Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
Due to jump at 4:35pm (AEST), this season’s Newcastle Cup field features a small but class line-up of nine hopefuls.
Sitting top of the latest Newcastle Gold Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $2.60 and firming is Paco Boy five-year-old Pacodali coming off a Moonee Valley win over 2040m where he defeated the reigning Melbourne Cup winner Almandin.
That was the gelding’s third straight win following back-to-back 2000m Flemington victories during the winter and he should be improving second-up on the weekend.
Stripping fitter for the resuming win, Pacodali carried 54.5kg to victory last time out and only rises a kilo making him a big winning hope again especially with the form around Almandin.
Close second favourite in Newcastle Gold Cup betting at $3 for the win is the rails-drawn Sayed who also comes into the race in outstanding form.
Kerrin McEvoy rides the Chris Waller-trained import, one day before the stable’s superstar Winx chases her 20th straight win in the George Main Stakes at Royal Randwick.
McEvoy has ridden Sayed for two of his three runs this time in, including a first-up Randwick win over the mile and a half on August 5 by a runaway five and a half lengths.
The ultra-consistent Stormy Atlantic galloper carted a hefty 59.5kg for that emphatic fresh victory, backing up at the track and distance a fortnight later to run second under 61kg with Winx’s regular rider Hugh Bowman aboard.
Sayed stepped-up into stakes company last time out on September 1 and finished only a quarter-length back third as the beaten odds-on favourite behind Destiny’s Kiss in the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m).
If the punters are willing to forgive him that loss, Sayed could prove the one to beat on Saturday returning to a more suitable distance and getting in on the 54kg minimum once again.
Wyong Gold Cup winner Destiny’s Kiss is also at single-figures for the rematch in this afternoon’s Newcastle Gold Cup.
Joe Pride’s Power Of Destiny gelding may be a rising 10-year-old, but he continues to show a true zest for racing.
Bowman rode the 71 start veteran to victory under 59kg second-up last time out and retains the ride today with Destiny’s Kiss chasing the double with the same weight and a nice gate three draw.
The other hopes under $10 for the win are seven-year-old Auvray ($9.50) who beat Sayed home at Randwick on August 19 and who drops from 59.5kg that run to 54kg, and the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Broadside ($9.50).
Check out the full Newcastle Gold Cup 2017 field, barriers, jockeys, weights and latest Cup odds below, pricing open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.
