Newcastle Race 8

The Steel City Cup (Listed Classic)

Stake: $68,400

CAPTAINS KNOCK (7) is in red hot form and looks set to continue on his winning way having used his gate speed to lead from one spot wider than this before going on to score by 4m last week at Menangle. That made it four wins on the trot and he came from the back row to win the first leg of this cup series at Wagga prior. The only time he raced at this circuit he won an Inter Dominion heat so everything points to another win. MAX DELIGHT (6) has chased CAPTAINS KNOCK home in his last three starts so will need to lift to turn the tables but can never be discounted. Unlike last week he draws inside CAPTAINS KNOCK and was only 2.3m behind him when third at Wagga prior. Has two wins and two placings from seven attempts at this distance so could make a race of it. CYA ART NZ (4) is hard to catch but was better when fourth to Captains Knock last week and grabbed him for an upset win in the G1 Len Smith Mile back in September. PETES SAID SO NZ (5) usually performs well here so is a trifecta hope.

Distance: 2550m
Class: LISTED CLASS
Track: fast
Weather: fine
Surface: All Weather

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Force Full (Fr1) 5184335116
Trainer: Rickie Alchin (Menangle Park)
Driver: Ashleigh Delosa (C)
Prize Money: $128,252
Win / Place: 25% / 44%

4 yo Bay Horse

Sire: SWEET LOU (USA)

Dam: EMERGING FORCE (AUS)

Owners: F Sgroi, R M Rumenovic

Rating

Stats

Career

52: 13-3-7

Track

8: 3-1-1

Season

14: 4-0-3

1st Up

3: 0-1-1

2nd Up

3: 0-0-0

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

Mobile

52: 13-3-7

All-Weather

52: 13-3-7

Best Mile

1:50.90

Comments

Last start 6th (Fr2) over 1609m at Menangle was 5th-13.16 at the bell, beaten 8 m by Huta (1:51.30) in NR up to 95 on November 29 at $12. Two runs back posted a big 3 m win as favourite (Fr7) at this track (1:54.00) beating Metallica Man in No NR on November 21 at $2 at the bell was 2nd-0.42. Draws the inside but not keen on his chances in this field.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 10	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Rickie Alchin	1:51.30	1:51.3	3.05L	$12	8	NR up to 95	$23,256	$456	1. Huta NZ 2. Van Basten 3. Unfazed NZ
1st of 10	21/11/25	Newcastle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Ashleigh Delosa	1:54.00	1:54.0	1.15L	$2.00f	6	No NR	$11,161	$5,910	1. Force Full 2. Metallica Man 3. Luke John NZ
1st of 10	15/11/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Ashleigh Delosa	2:45.80	1:56.0	0.45L	$4.20f	7	0W/20K Stakes	$23,256	$12,312	1. Force Full 2. Alwaysbealady 3. Baxter Red
5th of 10	8/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Ashleigh Delosa	1:53.10	1:53.1	2.60L	$7.00	7	0W/20K Stakes	$23,256	$912	1. Rakajed NZ 2. Our George Boston 3. Michaywey
3rd of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Rickie Alchin	1:51.30	1:51.3	0.82L	$4.00	7	NR up to 80	$23,256	$2,508	1. Mikibequick 2. Pablo Rocks 3. Force Full
3rd of 10	25/10/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Rickie Alchin	1:49.70	1:49.7	1.30L	$71	7	No NR	$57,000	$5,700	1. Our Goat 2. Royal Cruiser 3. Force Full

Van Basten (Fr2) 1667876012
Trainer: Leon Jurd (Menangle Park)
Driver: Jye Coney (C)
Prize Money: $164,404
Win / Place: 25% / 44%

Track Specialist

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: SUNSHINE BEACH (USA)

Dam: VERTIGAL (AUS)

Owners: L C Jurd, Somerton Corp Pty Ltd (Mgr: L C Jurd)

Rating

Stats

Career

54: 14-7-3

Track

11: 5-1-1

Season

13: 2-2-0

1st Up

5: 0-0-1

2nd Up

5: 3-0-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

Mobile

54: 14-7-3

All-Weather

54: 14-7-3

Best Mile

1:51.10

Comments

Last start was well back in the run when 2nd (Fr6) over 1609m at Menangle was 6th-14.6 at the bell, beaten 5.5 m by Huta (1:51.30) in NR up to 95 on November 29 at $21. Two runs back won by 1.5 m after showing early speed, (Fr4) at Menangle (1:51.90) beating Cash And Bling in NR up to 80 on November 22 at $3.80 at the bell was 2nd-4.17. Going well but facing a more difficult assignment.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 10	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Chris Geary	1:51.30	1:51.3	2.12L	$21	7	NR up to 95	$23,256	$3,876	1. Huta NZ 2. Van Basten 3. Unfazed NZ
1st of 7	22/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	J G Coney	1:51.90	1:51.9	0.59L	$3.80	5	NR up to 80	$23,256	$12,312	1. Van Basten 2. Cash And Bling 3. Fire Fox NZ
10th of 10	17/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr10	J G Coney	1:54.40	1:54.4	3.72L	$8.50	7	NR up to 70	$11,400	$223	1. Pet Kitty 2. Harmony 3. Outside Fighter
6th of 8	10/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	B L McDonough	1:53.00	1:53.0	4.42L	$12	9	5 0K/5 Starts	$11,400	$223	1. Double Act 2. Loyalist NZ 3. Dom Toretto NZ
7th of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Will Rixon	1:50.70	1:50.7	2.45L	$15	14	NR up to 95	$23,256	$456	1. Promising 2. Our George Boston 3. Dom Toretto NZ
8th of 10	18/10/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Rickie Alchin	1:52.40	1:52.4	5.80L	$21	7	NR up to 95	$23,256	$456	1. Unfazed NZ 2. Our Vincent Can Gogh NZ 3. Franco Tyson

I Break The Line (Fr3) 81550x5365
Trainer: Michael Xuereb (Londonderry)
Driver: Nathan Xuereb
Prize Money: $200,998
Win / Place: 24% / 42%

5 yo Black Horse

Sire: BETTING LINE (USA)

Dam: PARKLANE ROYAL (NZ)

Owners: D Sammut

Rating

Stats

Career

54: 13-6-4

Track

8: 3-2-1

Season

4: 0-0-1

1st Up

6: 1-2-0

2nd Up

6: 2-0-1

3rd Up

5: 2-1-1

Mobile

54: 13-6-4

All-Weather

54: 13-6-4

Best Mile

1:49.40

Comments

Last start 5th (Fr1) over 1609m after showing early pace at Menangle was 3rd-9.16 at the bell, beaten 14 m by Captains Knock (1:48.90) in No NR on November 29 at $31. Two runs back 6th (Fr3) over 2800m after showing early speed at Riverina Paceway beaten 35 m by Captains Knock (3:16.10) in LR No NR on November 14 at $51. Must do more.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
5th of 9	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Joshua Gallagher	1:48.90	1:48.9	5.24L	$31	15	No NR	$23,256	$912	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Nyack
6th of 12	14/11/25	Wagga	2800m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Nathan Xuereb	3:16.10	1:52.7	13.31L	$51	13	No NR	$68,400	$1,026	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Max Delight
3rd of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr1	Nathan Xuereb	1:49.30	1:49.3	1.93L	$26	7	No NR	$23,256	$2,508	1. Horn Player 2. Max Delight 3. I Break The Line
5th of 8	25/10/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Nathan Xuereb	2:40.50	1:52.3	7.10L	$41	98	No NR	$23,256	$912	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Petes Said So NZ
98 Day Spell
2nd of 4	15/10/25	Menangle	1609m			-	Nathan Xuereb	1:53.70	-	0.71L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Jay Ok 2. I Break The Line 3. Black Onyx
12th of 12	19/7/25	Albion Park	2680m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Jett Turnbull	3:09.80	1:54.0	72.42L	$8.50	7	No NR	$57,000	$855	1. Jimartee 2. Nyack 3. Beach Ball NZ

Cya Art Nz (Fr4) 1588884794
Trainer: Kerryann Morris (Menangle Park)
Driver: Joshua Gallagher
Prize Money: $494,591
Win / Place: 7.48% / 39%

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: ART MAJOR (USA)

Dam: CYATHEA (NZ)

Owners: A M Gallagher

Rating

Stats

Career

107: 8-16-18

Distance

12: 0-5-2

Track

3: 0-0-1

Season

14: 1-0-0

1st Up

7: 0-0-1

2nd Up

6: 1-0-2

3rd Up

6: 2-0-0

Mobile

91: 6-13-15

Standing

16: 2-3-3

All-Weather

105: 8-16-18

Slushy

2: 1-0-1

Grass

2: 0-0-0

Best Mile

1:47.50

Comments

Last start 4th (Fr2) over 1609m at Menangle was 4th-13.45 at the bell, beaten 11 m by Captains Knock (1:48.90) in No NR on November 29 at $81. At the run before 9th (Fr4) over 2300m at Menangle, beaten 21 m by Ubetcha Tigerpie (2:42.00) in No NR on November 22 at $23. Better last start and can bob up when least expected.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 9	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Kerryann Morris	1:48.90	1:48.9	4.09L	$81	7	No NR	$23,256	$1,368	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Nyack
9th of 10	22/11/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Kerryann Morris	2:42.00	1:53.4	8.14L	$23	8	No NR	$34,200	$684	1. Ubetcha Tigerpie 2. Helluva NZ 3. Petes Said So NZ
7th of 12	14/11/25	Wagga	2800m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Kerryann Morris	3:16.10	1:52.7	14.76L	$126	6	No NR	$68,400	$1,026	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Max Delight
4th of 10	8/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Kerryann Morris	1:50.50	1:50.5	0.93L	$11	7	NR up to 95	$23,256	$1,368	1. Our Sweet Delight 2. Smooth Buzz 3. Petes Said So NZ
8th of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Joshua Gallagher	1:49.30	1:49.3	3.72L	$21	14	No NR	$23,256	$456	1. Horn Player 2. Max Delight 3. I Break The Line
8th of 12	18/10/25	Melton	2240m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr5	Joshua Gallagher	2:36.20	1:52.2	6.39L	$151	7	No NR	$285,000	$4,275	1. Kingman NZ 2. Hi Manameisjeff NZ 3. Leap To Fame

Petes Said So Nz (Fr5) 5054137337
Trainer: Kerryann Morris (Camden South)
Driver: Robert Morris
Prize Money: $664,073
Win / Place: 12% / 44%

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: WELL SAID (USA)

Dam: KAMWOOD SMARTY (NZ)

Owners: P Kohlsdorf

Rating

Stats

Career

229: 29-39-35

Distance

9: 0-3-1

Trk/Dst

2: 0-1-1

Track

13: 1-2-6

Season

14: 1-0-3

1st Up

5: 1-0-1

2nd Up

5: 0-1-2

3rd Up

5: 1-1-0

Mobile

224: 28-39-35

Standing

5: 1-0-0

All-Weather

229: 29-39-35

Best Mile

1:49.30

Comments

Last start 7th (Fr4) over 1609m at Menangle was 6th-21.58 at the bell, beaten 17 m by Captains Knock (1:48.90) in No NR on November 29 at $51. Before that, a game effort when 3rd (Fr7) over 2300m after showing early pace at Menangle was 5th-8.94 at the bell, beaten 11 m by Ubetcha Tigerpie (2:42.00) in No NR on November 22 at $8. Among the trifecta chances.

Expected Settling Position: Off Pace

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 9	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr4	Robert Morris	1:48.90	1:48.9	6.62L	$51	7	No NR	$23,256	$456	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Nyack
3rd of 10	22/11/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Robert Morris	2:42.00	1:53.4	4.20L	$8.00	14	No NR	$34,200	$3,762	1. Ubetcha Tigerpie 2. Helluva NZ 3. Petes Said So NZ
3rd of 10	8/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Robert Morris	1:50.50	1:50.5	0.86L	$5.00	7	NR up to 95	$23,256	$2,508	1. Our Sweet Delight 2. Smooth Buzz 3. Petes Said So NZ
7th of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr6	Robert Morris	1:49.30	1:49.3	2.71L	$16	7	No NR	$23,256	$456	1. Horn Player 2. Max Delight 3. I Break The Line
3rd of 8	25/10/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr2	Robert Morris	2:40.50	1:52.3	5.84L	$21	5	No NR	$23,256	$2,508	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Petes Said So NZ
1st of 10	20/10/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr10	Robert Morris	1:51.30	1:51.3	1.00L	$1.50f	9	5 0K/5 Starts	$11,400	$6,033	1. Petes Said So NZ 2. Smooth Buzz 3. Piccadilly Pete NZ

Max Delight (Fr6) 2511552436
Trainer: David Aiken (Avenel)
Driver: Will Rixon
Prize Money: $1,671,723
Win / Place: 24% / 56%

9 yo Bay Horse

Sire: BETTOR'S DELIGHT (USA)

Dam: LADY EUTHENIA (AUS)

Owners: M J Maxfield

Rating

Stats

Career

152: 37-22-27

Distance

7: 2-2-0

Track

5: 0-2-2

Season

8: 2-1-1

1st Up

8: 4-3-0

2nd Up

8: 4-1-1

3rd Up

8: 1-2-1

Mobile

152: 37-22-27

All-Weather

152: 37-22-27

Best Mile

1:48.80

Comments

Last start was well beaten into sixth after being driven well back, behind Captains Knock at Menangle over 1609m in a No NR on November 29 at $12. Raced better the start before that with a solid effort when 3rd (Sr4) over 2800m at Riverina Paceway, beaten 2.25 m by Captains Knock (3:16.10) in LR No NR on November 14 at $8. Can never be underestimated and could pose a challenge.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 9	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Will Rixon	1:48.90	1:48.9	6.02L	$12	15	No NR	$23,256	$456	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Nyack
3rd of 12	14/11/25	Wagga	2800m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr4	Will Rixon	3:16.10	1:52.7	0.86L	$8.00	6	No NR	$68,400	$7,524	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Max Delight
4th of 9	8/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Will Rixon	1:48.20	1:48.2	2.90L	$7.00	7	No NR	$34,884	$2,052	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Ripp
2nd of 9	1/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Will Rixon	1:49.30	1:49.3	0.11L	$2.25f	42	No NR	$23,256	$3,876	1. Horn Player 2. Max Delight 3. I Break The Line
42 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 5	22/10/25	Menangle	1609m			-	Will Rixon	1:52.80	-	0.04L	$0.00	-	Trial	$0	-	1. Arggghhh 2. Max Delight 3. Western Style
5th of 9	20/9/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr9	Will Rixon	1:50.00	1:50.0	3.09L	$2.70f	14	No NR	$23,256	$912	1. Kingman NZ 2. Classic Mission NZ 3. Ubetcha Tigerpie

Captains Knock (Fr7) 2712231111
Trainer: Brad Hewitt (Goulburn)
Driver: Brad Hewitt
Prize Money: $804,070
Win / Place: 38% / 70%

Picket Fence

5 yo Bay Horse

Sire: CAPTAINTREACHEROUS (USA)

Dam: SCARLETT FINN (NZ)

Owners: Triple Play Syndicate (Mgr: A L Hewitt)

100

Rating

Stats

Career

60: 23-10-9

Track

1: 1-0-0

Season

8: 5-2-1

1st Up

7: 4-2-1

2nd Up

6: 1-0-2

3rd Up

5: 2-1-1

Mobile

60: 23-10-9

All-Weather

60: 23-10-9

Best Mile

1:48.20

Comments

Comes here in the right form. Posted a big 4 m win as favourite when quickly away, (Fr8) at Menangle (1:48.90) beating Ripp in No NR on November 29 at $1.25 at the bell was leading 3.84. Two runs back won by 1.0 m (Sr3) at Riverina Paceway (3:16.10) beating Don Hugo in LR No NR on November 14 at $3. Flying at present and looks set to extend the winning streak.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Start	Surface	Barrier	Driver	Race Time	Mile Rate	Margin	SP	Days	Class	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 9	29/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr8	Brad Hewitt	1:48.90	1:48.9	1.49L	$1.25f	15	No NR	$23,256	$12,312	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Nyack
1st of 12	14/11/25	Wagga	2800m	Mobile	All Weather	Sr3	Brad Hewitt	3:16.10	1:52.7	0.37L	$3.00	6	No NR	$68,400	$37,278	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Max Delight
1st of 9	8/11/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr5	Brad Hewitt	1:48.20	1:48.2	0.74L	$3.60	14	No NR	$34,884	$18,468	1. Captains Knock 2. Don Hugo 3. Ripp
1st of 8	25/10/25	Menangle	2300m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr7	Brad Hewitt	2:40.50	1:52.3	1.56L	$1.60f	7	No NR	$23,256	$12,312	1. Captains Knock 2. Ripp 3. Petes Said So NZ
3rd of 10	18/10/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr10	Brad Hewitt	1:50.60	1:50.6	0.93L	$3.20f	42	No NR	$34,884	$3,762	1. Betterthancash NZ 2. Ripp 3. Captains Knock
42 Day Freshen-Up
2nd of 10	6/9/25	Menangle	1609m	Mobile	All Weather	Fr3	Brad Hewitt	1:47.50	1:47.5	0.04L	$9.00	21	NR up to 120	$171,000	$29,070	1. Cya Art NZ 2. Captains Knock 3. Eye Keep Smiling

Race Review Abbreviations

Brk: Broke, Blkd: Blocked or held up, 1 x 1: One-out, one-back, Prkd: Parked, 3bk otr: 3 back on the outer, 3bk inr: Same as above, but on the inside, trld: Trailed, Gt spd: Showed gate speed, 3wd: 3-wide postd: Caught wide without cover, Held up: Held up, no gaps or few gaps: If they don't see any clear air in the straight, Inr-mid-wd -position: On the inside, mid = 1-off, wd = 3-wide or wider, flew hm wd: Flew home wide, dashd inr: Sprinted well on the inside, Chkd: Checked, Slow: Slow away at the start, Wltd: Wilted or got tired, Fdd: Faded late, Urgd: If the driver's getting stuck in

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