Jockey Rachel King is confident Lanciato (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) can break a 35-year drought and become the first horse since Manaun (Koryo {USA}) to win back-to-back G3 Suez Newcastle Newmarket Hcps on Friday.
Lanciato charged home to win the race 12 months ago for King and trainer Mark Newnham but has not won in six starts since, finishing fifth but within a length of Eckstein (I Am Invincible) on resumption in the G3 Southern Cross S. at Randwick last month.
King, who broke through for her first Group 1 win last spring when riding Maid of Heaven (Smart Missile) to victory in the G1 Spring Champion S. for Newnham, feels Lanciato is ready to peak second-up in what looks an even race.
“Lanciato is going super and his first-up run in the Southern Cross was a ripper. He was back last during the run and his last 600 metres was the second fastest of the day behind Winx," King told Racing NSW.
"Lanciato has won three from four second-up runs and Newcastle is the ideal track for him with the long straight. He has an amazing turn of foot and I believe he looks and is going better than when he won the Newcastle Newmarket last year.”
Lanciato
King will be looking for a second Newmarket double should Lanciato win, given she is down to ride Encryption (Lonhro) in the Flemington race of the same name, but with about ten times the prizemoney, 24 hours after the Newcastle race.
A competitive Newcastle Newmarket will give her a good chance to get her eye in.
Five of the leading chances come into the race second-up, including race favourite Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}), who was narrowly beaten when third in the G2 Millie Fox S. at Rosehill first-up and has never been outside of the top two in four second-up runs.
Kris Lees is looking for a hometown victory with one of Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible) and Princess Posh (Canford Cliffs {Ire}). Princess Posh won the G3 Tibbie S. over this course and distance in the spring, while Invincible Gem's best in good enough to win this, but she does have a poor second-up record.
Siege of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) was placed in the G1 Toorak Hcp two starts back and he comes into this race fresh with a good first-up record, although he carries the top weight.
