Irish horse aims to use Newcastle Cup as Melbourne Cup springboard
Changingoftheguard runs the Newcastle Cup on Friday as final prep for a Melbourne Cup return in November.
The Irish import has been at trainer Kris Lees' Broadmeadow stables for just over two years. Changingoftheguard runs the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300 metres) on Friday as the first time the eight-year-old gelding competes in his home training area.
The horse starts as topweight carrying 59.5 kilograms with jockey Tim Clark aboard. The plan builds towards a Melbourne Cup return at Flemington in under two months.
Stable spokesperson Danny Greer says the path mirrors past success: Green Moon won the Newcastle Cup in 2011 and the Melbourne Cup in 2012. Changingoftheguard was weighted at 56.5 kilograms for the Melbourne Cup when weights dropped on Thursday.
- 2300 metres
- Distance
- 59.5 kilograms
- Topweight
- just over two years
- Time at stables
- under two months away
- Melbourne Cup date
Why it mattersRacing fans in the Hunter region get to see a serious Melbourne Cup contender tested locally before the biggest race of the year.
AustraliaLocal Newcastle racing venues host major track work for a genuine Melbourne Cup contender, adding prestige to the Hunter racing calendar.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
