3 minute read

Harpo Marx will chase a hat-trick of wins in the Newcastle Cup.

Six years since they last combined for a feature race win, trainer Bjorn Baker and jockey Brodie Loy are hoping to land another, this time with Harpo Marx in the Newcastle Cup. 

Loy won the 2015 Group 2 Ajax Stakes on the Baker-trained Burbero and with Sydney's leading jockeys unable to participate in the showcase spring meeting at Newcastle on Friday due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Loy has picked up the plum mount on the in-form stayer. 

"Brodie Loy is riding well and he's ridden a Group Two winner for me before, so hopefully he can get another one," Baker said. 

"A big track like Newcastle should suit the horse." 

Harpo Marx has surged through the grades over the past few months to win three of his past four starts, the last two in a row. 

After posting a 2400m victory at Randwick in August, he made a successful transition to black-type company to claim the Group 3 Premier's Cup (2000m) at Kembla Grange. 

Baker expects a distance rise to the 2300m of the Newcastle Cup to be more suitable and an ideal stepping stone to next month's Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick. 

And despite being in work for some time, the gelding continues to thrive on racing. 

"It's the best he's looked. He hasn't looked better than he looks now all preparation," Baker said. 

"We will be looking for him to run a good race and if he does that, we'll more than likely head towards the Metrop." 

Chris Waller confirmed former European Dashing Willoughby was all but certain to take his place in the Newcastle Cup despite also being accepted for the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday. 

The gelding, who has top weight of 59kg at Newcastle, finished midfield in his first run for Waller in the Wyong Cup (2100m) and the leading trainer believes he is looking for further.  

"He's got a big weight but a good draw and he'll more than likely run there because I think the 2300 will suit him more than the 2000 metres," Waller said. 

"He's made good progress from his first-up run. He seems to be coping much better now." 

The Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m), a traditional springboard into the Epsom Handicap, and the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) for the fillies and mares will also be highlights of the Newcastle program.