Top jockey Zac Lloyd will put Metropolitan favourite Aethelwulf and Epsom Handicap hopeful Althoff through their paces in crucial lead-up races at Newcastle as carnival plans for the pair hang in the balance.
Aethelwulf faces the dual task of stretching beyond 2000m for the first time and stepping up to stakes level when he contests Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) in pursuit of his fourth consecutive win. Meanwhile, Althoff aims to solidify his Epsom Handicap claims in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m).
Lloyd boasts an unblemished record with both horses and stressed the importance of Aethelwulf maintaining his winning streak to warrant his position at the top of the markets for the Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick next month.
“He needs to win if he wants to progress to a Metrop,” Lloyd stated.
“He’s not well weighted. The top horse has compressed the weights so some nice horses are giving him less kilos than what they should be, so that’s going to be tricky for him.
“But it will be good to see where he’s at. I have a lot of belief in him and so does Matt. Hopefully he can win and win comfortably.
“He’s one of the more exciting horses I’ve sat on just in how he’s progressed every run.”
Among Aethelwulf’s rivals will be the topweight and Sydney Cup victor, Changingoftheguard, who is aiming to secure trainer Kris Lees his second Newcastle Cup, following Mugatoo’s success six years prior.
Althoff also enters his engagement in superb form, having secured impressive victories in his last two outings.
Lloyd highlighted the gelding’s most recent win at Rosehill as particularly compelling, and echoed the sentiment for Aethelwulf, indicating that Althoff’s performance on Friday would be pivotal in charting his next course.
“Barrier one is fantastic for him. He can ‘posi’ up closer than he did the other day,” Lloyd remarked.
“His last win was full of merit because he had to go back on a track that was favouring leaders, and if he wins at Newcastle, he’ll probably take his place in the Epsom with a light weight.
“So two important races on Friday.”
The Tibbie Stakes (1400m), a feature for fillies and mares, will conclude the day’s racing. Lloyd is scheduled to ride the returning Polymnia for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
While her best performances have been over middle distances, she possesses a strong sprint first-up and has been placed in three of her five starts when resuming.
You can find the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.