Trainer Chris Waller has picked up another victory in the Newcastle Gold Cup 2024 with Etna Rosso given a perfectly timed ride by Kerrin McEvoy to salute in the Friday afternoon feature.
Etna Rosso (pictured winning at Rosehill) was too good for his rivals in the 2024 Newcastle Gold Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.
Waller has now prepared six Newcastle Gold Cup winners in the past decade including two years ago with Durston (2022) who went on to win that season’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) two starts later.
A Group 1 run looks likely for this year’s champion with Etna Rosso having shown plenty of class to secure the Group 3 $300,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) victory as the $3.40 favourite.
McEvoy allowed the Irish-bred five-year-old time to work through his gears once on the home straight, boxing on well to run down the Ciaron Maher-trained leader Wyclif and claim the important spring lead-up in a smart time of 2 minutes 24.06 seconds.
The son of Decorated Knight showed nice improvement off his lead-up fifth in the Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) when beaten two lengths by Lion’s Roar at the start of the month.
“He’s a horse that’s just gone from strength to strength this preparation,” stable representative Zane Jones told Sky Thoroughbred Central post-win.
“It was a stop start affair again today but being on the big track at Newcastle gave him the chance to wind up and show his class late.
“He really is (a promising stayer). It is his second full prep in Australia.
“This was his third win in Australia from a handful of starts so looking forward to seeing where he can progress to this campaign.”
Having relished the extra furlong at Newcastle, the import also secured a ballot free ride into Randwick’s Group 1 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) on Epsom Handicap Day on October 5.
Glencadam Gold (2012) was the last horse to complete the Newcastle Gold Cup – The Metropolitan double over a decade ago.
Futures markets on this year’s The Metropolitan at Ladbrokes.com.au have Etna Rosso into $17 to be the next and are available in full by clicking here.
2024 Newcastle Gold Cup Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 54kg | $3.40F | |||
| 2 | 5 | WYCLIF (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jason Collett | 0.89L | 7 | 54kg | $13 | ||
| 3 | 2 | SIR LUCAN (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 1.89L | 4 | 58.5kg | $17 | ||
| 4 | 1 | LUNCIES (GB) | Kris Lees | Joshua Parr | 3.51L | 1 | 58.5kg | $8.50 | ||
| 5 | 8 | CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 4.73L | 3 | 54kg (cd 54.5kg) | $13 | ||
| 6 | 4 | TOURISTIC (GB) | Peter Snowden | Regan Bayliss | 4.85L | 2 | 56kg | $5.50 | ||
| 7 | 3 | REDSTONE WELL (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Tom Sherry | 6.54L | 6 | 57kg | $3.70 | ||
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