Newmarket Handicap – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of seventeen runners have accepted for the $1.5 million dollar Newmarket Handicap.  There are two key lead up races; the Oakleigh Plate and the Lightning Stakes.  Five had their last start in the Oakleigh Plate while four of them ran in the Lightning Stakes.  Three are first up.

The Chris Waller trained Home Affairs is the current favourite in the betting.  He is a dual Group 1 winner at the track and won the Lightning at his last start.  Lost And Running is the second favourite.  He is a lightly raced five year old on the rise and was ultra impressive winning first up at Randwick.

Artorius won last years Blue Diamond and was an eye catcher flashing home to run third in the Coolmore Stud Stakes last preparation.  Masked Crusader was second in last years Everest and strips fitter second up.  Swats That closed strongly in the Lightning and drops down to 52.5kg for this second up assignment.  Snapdancer has gone to a new level this prep, while Quantico won his last start here before spelling.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Masked Crusader

Charged home to finish second in The Everest.  Resumed in the Lightning and was flat footed when sprint went on over the 1000m.  Much better suited at 1200m here.  Could be a big improver.  Has the class to win this.

2. Home Affairs

Star colt.  Won the Coolmore against his own age here in the spring then beat the older horses first up in the Lightning.  McDonald sticks.  Set for this.

3. Lost And Running

Has been heavily backed in the early betting.  Blew them away in The Hunter in November.  Resumed with a dominant victory in the Group 3 Southern Cross at Randwick.  Ran slick time there.  Drops in weight here.  Only query is the application of glue on shoes for the first time.

4. Zoutori

Won this race last year.  Stronger edition this year.  Did not fire first up in the Oakleigh Plate.

5. Count De Rupee

First up.   Has a good fresh record.  Was second in the Golden Eagle, then took out the $1,000,000 Gong on his home track at the end of last prep.  Place chance.

6. Levante

Kiwi visitor with a very hand record.  Won the Group 1 BCD Sprint in NZ over 1400m last start.  The Group 1 Telegraph Prior over 1200m prior.  In the mix.

7. Halvorsen

Won the Standish here in the middle of January.  This is a much harder assignment.  Prefer others.

8. Oxley Road

Has ran well with bias against both starts this prep.  Toughest test yet but has a good straight record.  Place chance.

9. Poland

Jumped out well prior to a solid first up run in the Oakleigh Plate.  Thought he was as good as anything through the line there.  The rise to 1200m suits.  Consider for multiples at big odds.

10. Quantico

Won his last three before spelling and did beat Lost And Running in a recent trial.  Will need to run a new peak to win here.

11. Roch ‘N’ Horse

Ex Kiwi now with the inform Michael Moroney stable.  Was second behind  Levante in the Telegraph in NZ on January 15.  Don’t discount.

12. September Run

Finished fifth in this race last year after jumping a warm favourite.  Hasn’t won for a while but loves the straight.  Knock out chance with Kah aboard.

13. Snapdancer

Has bolted in at her last two starts.  Running two big new peaks.    Losing McDonald is a negative but is in the mix here.

14. Swats That

Thought her run first up in the Lightning was terrific and gets some significant weight relief here.  Proven straight track performer.  Best of the roughies for me.

15. The Astrologist

Straight track specialist who was completely unsuited at 1000m in the Lightning first up.  Blinkers go on here.  Can run into the money at big odds.

16. Artorius

Talented three year old colt who loves to get back and fly home in his races.  Ran fourth in the Golden Rose and third in the Caulfield Guineas, before a luckless third in the Coolmore.  Live chance with no weight on his back.

17. Finance Tycoon

Danny O’Brien trained colt.  Lead all the way to take out the  Zeditave Stakes last start.  Had bias in his favour.  This is harder.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Home Affairs	2. Home Affairs
3. Lost And Running	1. Masked Crusader
13. Snapdancer	16. Artorius
6. Levante	3. Lost And Running

Group 3 Black Opal Stakes 2022 (Canberra 1200m)

Listed National Sprint 2022 (Canberra 1400m)

Group 1 Australian Cup 2022 (Flemington 2000m)

Group 2 VRC Sires Produce 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 2 Kewney Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 Matron Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Moomba Plate 2022 (Flemington 1100m)

Group 1 Coolmore Classic 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Ajax Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 3 Sky High Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 2000m)

Group 3 Magic Night Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1100m)