Newcastle’s Northumberland Plate features Circus Of Rome and Team Player
Northumberland Plate preparations
Richard Hughes has expressed his hopes for Circus Of Rome in the upcoming Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate at Newcastle on Saturday. The four-year-old is a prominent market leader for the heritage handicap, having received consistent backing. This race marks the culmination of a long-term strategy for the horse.
Circus Of Rome has a strong record at Gosforth Park, with two wins from two previous outings at the venue. His current season includes two preparatory races, which were intended to ready him for this specific event. Hughes noted the significant financial support for the horse in the market, stating his surprise at the extent of the money placed on him.
The plan to target the Northumberland Plate was established following a win in August of the previous year. While the horse has demonstrated ability over a mile-and-six furlongs as a three-year-old, the two-mile distance of the upcoming race remains a key factor. The trainer indicated that efforts were made this year to manage the horse’s handicap mark, running him in shorter races than his ideal distance, where he performed creditably. Hughes believes Circus Of Rome has developed into a stronger and better horse compared to last year.
Other contenders and race insights
The Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap, scheduled for 15:15 at Newcastle, is a highlight of Saturday’s racing. Another contender in the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ is Team Player, trained by Ewan Whillans. This four-year-old will be fitted with cheekpieces and a tongue-tie for the first time, a combination that could influence his performance.
Team Player‘s last outing in the Chester Cup saw him finish fifth, beaten by less than three lengths, despite not having the clearest run. He has a previous win over the course and distance, which is considered a beneficial attribute for racing on the surface at Newcastle. Since joining Whillans from Gemma Tutty, the horse has shown improvement in all three of his starts. He remains on a mark of 92, suggesting he could be well-handicapped based on his recent Chester performance.
While Circus Of Rome has been heavily backed, some observers are looking to challenge him at his current odds. Team Player, with jockey Greg Fairley, is being considered as an each-way option against the favourite.
Beyond Newcastle, Saturday’s racing also includes events at York. The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap at 13:55 features Zennor Storm, a gelded son of Mohaather trained by William Haggas. Zennor Storm is noted as the least exposed runner in the field with considerable potential. He secured two wins on all-weather surfaces as a juvenile, over seven furlongs and one mile at Kempton.
However, his two starts this season have seen him finish last on both occasions, at Newmarket and Newbury. Following these runs, he has been gelded, a procedure that is hoped will help him focus and improve. A stronger pace, anticipated in this race, is also expected to suit his strengths. The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap at 14:25 at York will see Schrodinger’s Cat, who recently won a 0-85 race at Redcar over five furlongs. Despite an 8lb rise in weight, the horse is considered to be improving and is drawn against the far rail, a position often favoured in York sprints.
The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Sprint Handicap at 16:15 at York includes Invincible Boy, a three-year-old colt trained by the Faheys. Despite having a double-figure draw, which is unusual for a preferred sprinter in this six-furlong handicap, his proximity to where the pace is expected to originate could be advantageous. He showed promise on debut over the course and distance last October, finishing second, and later secured a win at Pontefract over six furlongs. His initial handicap mark of 82 is considered fair, with potential for further improvement.
The Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap is scheduled for Saturday.
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Source: sportinglife.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
