NOT many Gosforth Park Cups go by without Jim Goldie being involved, and the Glasgow trainer is looking for a change of luck to reclaim the prize he last lifted in 2001.
The feature event of tonight’s Newcastle card and the second leg of the three-day Northumberland Plate meeting is worth £20,000 and has attracted a number of established five-furlong sprinters.
Goldie’s Indian Spark obliged as the 7-2 favourite eight years ago in the hands of a certain Kieren Fallon and the baton has now passed to hold-up specialist River Falcon, back for his third attempt in as many years.
Fourth to Green Park in 2007, the veteran did not fare so well a year ago when only 13th behind Buachaill Dona, who is back among the field again.
River Falcon has not won a race for almost two years himself and usually performs best at York but he has been consistent so far this season and followed up a third on the Knavesmire by staying on to be second to Pavershooz in the Scottish Sprint Cup at Musselburgh last time.
Goldie said: “It’s a stiff five at Newcastle and it does suit, although we have been there a few times before and met some trouble in running.
“Hopefully he’ll get a clearer passage this time around. He’s drawn 12 and will come from behind and I think the closer you can get to the stands rail, the better, as that is where the action tends to be. A drop of rain would help – I don’t think we are going to get it mind you – but he has run well the last couple of times, seems to be in good form and I can see him running a decent race.”
The Musselburgh contest may have great bearing on the outcome, as Noel Wilson’s Pavershooz is among the opposition along with a number of others who were down the field like Ishetoo and Hamish McGonagall. Arriving from Newmarket for the Piramal Healthcare-sponsored Cup is the probable favourite Fathom Five.
Well-known in the north from his time with Bryan Smart, he won his first and only start for new handler Chris Wall in a race at Epsom in April.
Richard Price is another trainer who believes he deserves a change of fortune as he prepares to bring Cheveton from his Herefordshire base. The chestnut racked up a five-timer last summer and has been just off the pace in three starts on grass this term.
“He’s a really consistent horse but he has just not had a decent draw this season, explained Price. “He has got stall seven this time, and I’m not sure that’s any good either. The main worry is the ground. I haven’t run him for a little while as he doesn’t want it too quick and I am hoping they will have put plenty of water on the course.”
The opening race, the KB Sheet Metal & GDBS Handicap looks to be another tricky one to figure out, while punters have three other trappy heats to tuck into on a six-race card.
Godolphin used to have a decent strike rate with their handful of runners at Newcastle and the team have decided to send Silk Trail for the Phoenix Security Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. She has been third in fair events at Windsor and Salisbury but could be closely-matched with another to travel from Newmarket, the Michael Jarvis-trained Kammaan.
