A classy field of 10 has assembled for the £19,000 Betway Conditions Stakes (2.20pm) at Newcastle on Saturday, December 12, the first Fast-Track Qualifier of the marathon category.
The winner of the extended two-mile Tapeta contest receives a guaranteed start in the Betway All-Weather Marathon Championship at Lingfield Park on All-Weather Championships Finals Day, Good Friday, April 2.
Mildenberger (Mark Johnston/Franny Norton) was third behind Raymond Tusk (Richard Hannon/Rossa Ryan) in this qualifier last year before recording two impressive victories later in the campaign, including another qualifier at Chelmsford City in March.
Mildenberger ran a great race on his next start in the rearranged G3 Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle in June, finishing second to subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Nayef Road. That contest also featured Rainbow Dreamer (Alan King/James Doyle) in fourth, who landed marathon qualifiers at Wolverhampton and Kempton Park last season.
Trainer Alan King is also represented by Who Dares Wins (Hayley Turner), winner of the prestigious Northumberland Plate over the course and distance in 2019 and the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this year.
Stargazer (Phil Kirby/Kevin Stott) has registered two wins and two seconds from four starts over the extended two miles at Newcastle, the pick of those successes coming in this qualifier two years ago. The seven-year-old finished third in an extended 12-furlong handicap at the track on November 19.
Trainer Phil Kirby said: “We were a little disappointed with the way Stargazer travelled last time. I know it was a mile and a half, but he wasn’t ever really in the race and probably did quite well to finish third in the end.
“That run just leaves a slight question mark because he has been grand since. The plan was always to go there to get him ready for this race back over two miles, because he is more of a two-miler.
“He seems to enjoy the two miles at Newcastle; I think because they tend to hack around for a mile and a half and then he does have a turn of foot. He switches off and you can just ride a race up the straight.
“He should be competitive again provided he gives his running, even if he is a bit wrong at the weights.”
Roger Varian saddles an interesting contender in Australis (Jack Mitchell), who has built up a good All-Weather record of three wins and three seconds from six starts.
Island Brave (Heather Main/George Rooke) and Carnwennan (Charlie Fellowes/Stevie Donohoe) both come into the race after finishing third in two-mile handicaps at Kempton Park.
Jim Goldie runners Tannadice Park (Tom Eaves) and Tara Kay (Phil Dennis) complete the field.
Menu
