Amiens showed excellent ability on debut and can break his maiden in the second at Newcastle today. The son of Deep Field did take a little bit to warm up but mustered an eye-catching turn of foot late to finish second at Canberra, and he’ll enjoy good improvement from the experience. On exposed form, he does look the one to beat.
Mantastic was fair to the line when eighth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes first-up, but he is a horse that typically enjoys sharp improvement second-up and the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle this afternoon does look a drop in class. The Fastnet Rock gelding returned several outstanding performances last time in and he has options today from the rails draw, with James McDonald in the saddle.
Red Cardinal hasn’t been seen at the races since autumn, but he found outstanding form last time in and is up to winning this afternoon’s Newcastle Cup fresh and at double-figure odds. The Montjeu gelding won both the Listed Parramatta Cup and Group 3 Sky High Stakes when resuming in autumn and a repeat of either effort would see him comfortably winning this. The booking of Nash Rawiller to ride only enhances his chances.
Classy Godolphin mare Pohutukawa will resume in the Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle this afternoon and is up to winning. The daughter of Medaglia D’Oro returned several pleasing efforts last time in and was last seen finishing a close-up second behind Invincibella in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara. She’s trialled well in the lead-up to this race and has a class edge over the majority of these rivals.