Gary Harley – Herald -16.12.25
The Newcastle Jockey Clubs busy period of racing in December continues on Tuesday with the seven race Wine Country race meeting on the Beaumont track. The Tamworth trained Enniroc has been racing in good form and deserves a change of luck when he steps out in the 1150 metre New Era Technology Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap. Three starts back over the Armidale 1100 metres the 5-year-old was very slowly away after being second last at the top of the short straight Enniroc stormed home to fail by a head.
Following the Armidale race Enniroc was transferred to Tamworth trainer David Hatch and his two runs at Randwick and Rosehill in November were full of merit. On November 4 on a soft 7 Randwick track, he contested a 1000 metre Highway and his performance was an eye catcher. Enniroc was a clear last to the turn and he ran on strong to finish third 3.15 lengths from the winner. Last start at Randwick he had a chequered passage in the straight when beaten 2.43 lengths after racing wide all the trip. Andrew Gibbons has the mount for the first time from barrier two.
Nathan Doyles 4-year-old mare Empusa went well enough first up on the Newcastle course proper to be afforded a good chance in the 1350 metre New Zealand Bloodstock -Karaka 100 years Benchmark 58 Handicap. At Newcastle in November 20 Empusa raced three wide over the 1250 metres and fought hard to the line to go down by less than two lengths. The mare was second up last preparation when a close second on a heavy Wyong track in March. Ash Morgan has ridden her earlier in the year and he has the mount on Tuesday.
Gosford trained Lord Vettori a brilliant first up Grafton Maiden winner on November 330 can win again when the son of Rubick steps up to Class 1 company int eh 1200 metre The prince Of Merewether Handicap, Top apprentice Anna Ropa rides the 4-year-old which has performed well on wet or dry tracks, former jockey Jake Hull trains Lord Vettori which has always shown potential.
The Archibald training partnership enjoying a successful season with 66 winners in New South Wales will send first starter Villainess to Newcastle and the fillies recent trial form indicates the daughter of Pierro will run well. The 3-year-old has speed, and she bolted in with a Warwick Farm trial a month ago. Reece Jones has been booked ot6 ride the filly which has had two recent trails since moving from the Hays brother’s Victorian stables.
Scone trained filly Don’t Say Do narrowly beaten in her two recent country starts lands in a winnable race on the Beaumont track. Part owned by trainer Rod Northam, the 3-year-old has finished a close runner up in recent starts at Taree and Warren.
Tuesday’s race meeting is the Newcastle Jockey Clubs third race meeting in ten days during December and what has been a hugely successful calendar year of racing for the NJC concludes with the ever-popular Boxing Day meeting on December 26.