Toowoomba trainer Lindsay Hatch has warned Sayl faces an uphill battle in his attempt for back-to-back wins in the Mackay Cup on Saturday.

The Mark Newnham-trained King Frankel has led from barrier to box in the $300,000 The Beauford at Newcastle.

Warwick Farm-conditioner Bjorn Baker is taking a large team to the stand alone Newcastle meeting this Saturday.

Champion trainer Chris Waller will be hoping Christmas comes a day later as he lines up a strong team in Sunday’s Group 3 Summer Cup at Randwick.

Group racing returns to Royal Randwick this Saturday and Warwick Farm-based trainer Bjorn Baker is looking to field a strong team across the card.