Trainer James Cummings is considering running Black Caviar Lightning runner up Osborne Bulls in the Group 1 $1.25m Seppelt Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 9.
Osborne Bulls, above, is among the first acceptors for the 2019 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
But a run in the time honoured sprint down the famous Flemington straight will depend on what weight the handicapper allocates the five year old gelding.
“The Newmarket is an obvious option so long as he doesn’t go up too much in the weights, but there are also suitable races elsewhere, including Dubai,” Cummings said.
Osborne Bulls produced his customary late charge to the line to go under by a nose to the Kris Lees trained In Her Time in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 16 and Cummings was very happy with the first up run.
Cummings will also consider taking Osborne Bulls to Dubai for the Group 1 US$2m Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on March 30 if the gelding is treated too harshly by the handicapper in the Newmarket Handicap.
Osborne Bulls has visited the Flemington straight on two occasions and as well as going down narrowly in the Black Caviar Lightning, was able to win over the same course and distance as the Newmarket Handicap when he won the Group 2 $300,000 The TAB Stakes on the first day of the four day 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Forty horses are left in contention for the 2019 Newmarket Handicap after first acceptances were taken today with Osborne Bulls being installed the $4.20 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of the Kris Lees trained Graff at $7 and the Black Caviar Lightning winner In Her Time and the Chris Waller trained Zousain at $7.
Early betting for the 2019 Newmarket Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Osborne Bulls, $7 Graff, In Her Time, $8 Nature Strip, Sunlight, $15 Santa Ana Lane, $17 Kementari, $21 Brave Smash, Brutal, Eduardo, Lean Mean Machine, Shoals, $26 Encryption, Fell Swoop, Redkirk Warrior, Voodoo Lad, Whispering Brook, $31 Charge, I Am Excited, Manuel, Usain Bowler, $41 or better the rest.
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