Latest News

By Gary Harley

Newcastle Jockey Club is expecting one of their biggest attendances of the year for the iconic Boxing Day race meeting on Friday.

The popular Hot Dub Time Machine is locked in to fire up the Hunter's biggest Christmas Party well into the night.

On the racetrack John Singleton’s blueblood filly Erin Jo ($3.20 favourite on TAB) lines up for her second race start following an impressive fast finishing placing on debut on the Kensington Track on December 5.

Jockey Nash Rawiller takes Erin Jo onto the track at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

Andrew Gibbons has the mount on the Kris Lees-trained 3yo daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible and Lees' three-time Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina.

Erin Jo has drawn okay in the 1350m Recycle Today Greener Tomorrow Super Maiden Plate.

Erin Jo is the last filly from Lucia Valentia who passed away after a colic attack in August 2024.

Singleton paid $700,000 for the horse at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and gifted a share to media identity Erin Molan.

Prior to her first-up start on the Kensington Track, Lees said Erin Jo would eventually need more ground like mum, and the trainer was impressed with her performance.

Near last on debut, the filly made up many lengths from the home turn to finish 1.25 lengths from the winner.

Another Novocastrian with sound credentials is Nathan Doyle's lightly raced 4yo Caltsar ($3.50 equal fav).

The galloper is to be ridden by the stable's 3kg-claiming apprentice Shannon Llewellyn in the 1350m Lucky’s Scrap Metal Boxing Day Cup Benchmark 64 Handicap.

The gelding has won two of his three starts on heavy tracks at Newcastle and Kembla, however, he trialled nicely on a Good 4 surface at Gosford on December 9.

Caltsar races well fresh and he is first-up since June, and the rails barrier is a plus.

The father and son partnership of Richard & Will Freedman have prospects of book ending the Newcastle program on Boxing Day.

They saddle up the consistent stayer Contaldo ($2 fav) in the opening event the 2100m For The Love Of Frieda Class 1 and Maiden Plate.

An on the speed stayer, the American-bred 5yo has been narrowly beaten carrying 61.5kg in his past two starts on the Kensington Track and Gosford.

In both starts Contaldo was beaten by Lennox, and he carries 59kg under the set weight conditions on Friday. The in-form Grant Buckley has the mount.

The Freedman’s 3yo Vivian’s Express ($4), beaten a nose first-up at Wyong on December 10, has a good chance in the final event the 1200m Prince Of Merewether Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap. Lee Magorrian rides the filly.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here