Colourful Cranbourne trainer Udyta Clarke has the 2018 Newmarket Handicap on Super Saturday in sight for her gun sprinter Rich Charm.
Rich Charm is eyeing a second-up run in the 2018 Newmarket Handicap on Super Saturday at Flemington this March. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Five-year-old Danerich gelding Rich Charm has put Mrs Clarke on the map having put together an impressive recent record of five wins from his past six starts over the last 12 months.
The galloper rounded out a consistent spring campaign with VRC Derby Day win at Flemington Racecourse saluting down the famous straight six track in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m).
Rich Charm is set to return to Flemington Racecourse second-up this Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival, engaged in his maiden elite level test.
All going to plan on March 10 the improver will line-up in the Group 1 $1.25 million Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m), the race set to attract the likes of Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Merchant Navy.
In the lead-up to the Newmarket Handicap, Rich Charm is set to resume racing at Caulfield on February 10 in the Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m).
He has an outstanding record at the Caulfield track having enjoyed three wins and a fourth from four runs there previously.
Rich Charm was put through his paces on Monday morning with a telling hit-out at his home Cranbourne track, finishing behind Michael Kent’s smart six-year-old Supido over the 800m jump-out with regular rider Patrick Moloney aboard.
“I’m very happy with him and he pulled up great,” Clarke told Racing Victoria, speaking of the hit-out.
“We’ve taught him to sit and relax in the run now and he doesn’t go until he’s asked to.
“He [Patrick Moloney] pushed him out in the last 50 metres of the trial but he’s generally a lot more competitive when he gets to his races.”
As for Monday’s Cranbourne trial winner Supido, the Sebring entire is also being considered for a 2018 Newmarket Handicap bid this autumn.
Boasting a 50% winning strike rate with seven victories from 14 career runs, the lightly-raced galloper is best known for his third to Black Heart Bart in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in 2016.
Last Melbourne Festival of Racing he returned to run dead last when ninth to Terravista (2017) in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at the Flemington track.
That short distance sprint is again on the agenda first-up for Supido this season, the Black Caviar Lightning set to run on February 17.
Returning The Everest – Darley Classic champion Redzel leads all-in Black Caviar Lightning betting at $2.70 through Ladbrokes.com.au, while Supido is listed as a $17 shot in futures markets.
From there, Kent is looking at the Newmarket Handicap as a likely option for Supido, while the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai is also a possibility.
To back your favourite autumn sprinters at the right price this season visit Ladbrokes.com.au today.
