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Classy New Zealander Ginga Dude could be a surprise first-up contender in next Wednesday's $150,000 Patinack Farm Cameron Handicap at Broadmeadow.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Ginga Dude is among 22 entries for the Group 3 Cameron, to be runm over 1500m for the first time to serve as a better prelude to the G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 1.
The Cameron winner automatically becomes exempt from ballot for the Epsom.
Kiwi trainer Graeme Boyd hasn't started the eight-year-old Ginga Dude since the Sydney autumn carnival.
The versatile gelding had some outstanding Melbourne spring carnival form last year, winning the David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield and running third to champion So You Think and Caulfield Cup winner Descarado in the G1 MacKinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Newcastle Jockey Club has received a massive 358 entries for the two-day spring carnival on Wednesday and Thursday.
They include 30 entries for next Thursday's $185,000 Group 3 Tooheys New Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
They include four stayers - At First Sight, Base, Tanby and Green Moon - prepared by Melbourne trainer Robert Hickmott for leading owner Lloyd Williams.
The Hickmott-Williams combination started Martial Law in last year's Newcastle Cup but he was unplaced behind Stratofortress.
Hickmott also nominated last Saturday's impressive Flemington winner Niblick for the Cameron Handicap.
There are 20 entries for Wednesday's $175,000 Group 3 MGA Insurance Brokers Spring Stakes (1600m) for three-year-olds.
They include last Saturday's impressive Warwick Farm winner Ambidexter (Peter Snowden), Chelmsford Stakes placegetter Strike The Stars (Anthony Cummings), Just The Tonic (Gai Waterhouse), Rekindled Alliance (Paul Messara) and Darci Be Good (Bede Murray).
Patinack Farm has signalled its intention to be a major force at the carnival with strong nominations in all four feature races.
Nathan Tinkler's private trainer John Thompson has nominated Gathering and Renewed Vitality (Cameron), Boys On Tour, Kutcher, Isopach, Lieutenant Colonel, Volatile Matter and Win For Wilson (Spring Stakes), Akinoshirabe, Galizani, Shamardashing and They Won't Last (Gold Cup) and Just Been Lucky, Miss Cutie and Preventable ($100,000 Listed Tibbie Stakes).
The Newcastle Gold Cup barrier draw will take place at the annual Newcastle racing awards luncheon on Monday.