ROSEHILL trainer David Payne will launch a two-pronged attack on the $140,000 Newcastle Newmarket on Wednesday.
And racing's first lady, Gai Waterhouse, will decide early this morning whether to start Gold Water in the group 3 race at Newcastle or keep her for Saturday's group 1 Coolmore Classic over 1500 metres at Rosehill.
Heavy rain fell on the Broadmeadow track on Saturday night, but it is still expected to be good for Wednesday.
Payne declared that if his two representatives, Centennial Park and Emperor Bonaparte, get decent barrier draws then both will contest the Newmarket.
"I believe Centennial Park is fairly weighted with 56 kilos and Emperor Bonaparte is the type that can run well in a Newmarket," Payne said yesterday.
"As long as they get decent barrier draws they can have a crack: the more the merrier, I say."
The former champion South African trainer was bullish about the chances of Centennial Park.
"There is a lot of pace in this Newmarket and that will really suit Centennial Park," he said.
"This horse goes best when he can settle and relax in his races and then storm home.
"That is the way I can see the Newmarket being won this year."
Waterhouse has Gold Water in both the Newcastle Newmarket and the Coolmore Classic for fillies and mares at Rosehill over 1500m on Saturday.
Acceptances for the Newmarket will be finalised this morning.
"I will see how the Coolmore is stacking up and if it is too hard then we will go for the Newmarket with Gold Water," she said.
"It is a race I have had luck in, so going to Newcastle holds no fears for me."
Rosehill trainer Chris Waller said he will run Pillar Of Hercules and Warwick Farm trainer Peter Snowden will start Drumbeats in the Newmarket.
Waller said he thought the Newmarket could be the race where Pillar of Hercules returns to form.
Pillar Of Hercules finished last in the Liverpool City Cup at Warwick Farm over 1400m first-up on March 6 over 1300m.
"The horse had a big rap on him early and he is still a bull, so he needs to get some nice wins back on the board if he is to go to stud as a stallion," Waller said.
"The Newmarket might be that type of race that suits him as it does look a quick race."
In-form Newcastle apprentice Alexandra Stokes will maintain her role with the Wyong galloper All Time Champion on Wednesday.
Stokes, who rode four winners at Taree two weeks ago, will be on All Time Champion, which has had two starts at Newcastle for two wins this season.
Meanwhile, Kris Lees has ordered vet's tests for his speedy filly Dove Lake after she bombed out of Golden Slipper contention with a dismal effort on Saturday.
Dove Lake led but was beaten just after straightening in the group 3 Sweet Embrace Stakes over 1200m at Randwick won by Crystal Lily.
Unfortunately Newcastle's Dove Lake will be resting in a spelling paddock when the Golden Slipper is run on April 3.
Dove Lake went backwards so quickly in the Sweet Embrace she was officially noted as being beaten 51 lengths in last position.
"There has to be something wrong with the filly. She just could not have gone that bad," Lees said.
"She was working brilliantly and in fact was going better than Zingaling on the track in the week leading up to the race.
"Zingaling ran a great second in her race but Dove Lake dropped out like she was shot."
Lees's chances of a first runner in the Golden Slipper now rest with Elimbari, which runs in the Riesling Stakes at Rosehill over 1200m on Saturday.
"She worked great yesterday," Lees said yesterday.
"She continues to improve and should run well on Saturday."
Lees was forced to scratch Lacada Siren from the Aspiration Quality when she had an elevated temperature on Saturday morning.
Lees will start Motspur in the Newcastle Newmarket on Wednesday, with Tye Angland aboard.
Email a friend