Etna Rosso ($3.10) has delivered Chris Waller his sixth victory in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup, with the son of Decorated Knight fighting back to run past Wycliff ($12) in the concluding stages of the 2300m contest.
Kerrin McEvoy couldn’t have given the talented stayer a better ride from barrier six, as he settled near the rear of the field on the fence before working off the inside to make his run on the home corner.
As McEvoy went for his run, Jason Collett went for Wycliff, and he ran on by to lead the eventual winner by a length with 200m to go.
However, to the winners credit, he lifted on the inside of the leader and picked himself up off the canvas to surge to the line and claim a tough victory.
As for the second-favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Redstone Well ($3.40), he missed the kick by three lengths and had to work throughout the race to find a spot, which took the dash out of his legs, and he failed to figure in the finish.
2024 Newcastle Gold Cup replay – Etna Rosso
Zane Jones represented the Waller stable in the post-race interview following their win.
“This horse has gone strength to strength this preparation,” Jones said.
“It was a stop-start affair today, but being at the bigger track at Newcastle, it gave him a chance to whind up and show his class late.
“This is his third win in Australia from a handful of starts, so we are looking forward to seeing where he goes to this campaign.”
Kerrin McEvoy was very happy with the win of Etna Rosso, and he echoed similar thoughts to Jones.
“It was a really good win,” McEvoy said.
“At Wyong, we expected a bit more, but maybe the circuit didn’t suit him, so I was confident that Newcastle, being a bigger track, was going to be more to his liking.
“I knew the horse was feeling good, and it was good to see him put in a good performance there.
“I don’t know much about Wycliff, but he went past my fella, but I knew I hadn’t asked him for the full effort yet, so I was confident that he was going to pick up and still hit the line.
“He got the better of that horse in the last 100 (metres) so onwards and upwards for him.”
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