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The beautifully bred Superstition can hopefully build upon an encouraging two-year-old prep when contesting the NJC Spring Carnival Maiden Plate (1200m) at Newcastle on Thursday.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Superstition resumes after a two-year-old maiden prep where he placed during both midweek metropolitan company outings.
While rolled as one of the favourites on both occasions, both runs still possessed plenty of merit and auger well for his chances in the NJC Spring Carnival Maiden Plate on Thursday.
Superstition has a master Timeform rating of 93, six pounds clear of his nearest rivals master rating and eight in excess of the best 50 day Timeform figure in the field.
The More Than Ready colt out of Group 1 winner and proven producing mare Camarena has been given time to mature since that maiden preparation and has performed soundly during two trials before resuming.
During both raceday outings at Canterbury, Superstition raced handy but just couldn’t quite reel in the two subsequent winners who settled in front of him.
From his inside barrier, Superstition and Josh Parr should again take up a forward position.
Ratings suggest Superstition has a class edge over those with raceday form while he possesses valuable race experience against the four debutants commencing their careers.
El Sasso looks long overdue for a maiden success and profiles as the main danger.
The Gerald Ryan-trained colt has been thereabouts in most of his runs this prep and was placed last start at Warwick Farm.
He boasts the highest Timeform figure of those having already raced this prep and should be rock hard fit after four campaign starts to date.
Expect him to be thereabouts at the finish.
Two who stay under notice off strong debut showings are Church Boy and Diamond Fund.
Church Boy has his first start for Michael Moroney after making his debut under the care of Graeme Rogerson.
The Iffraaj gelding settled back at Canterbury and while still beaten nearly three lengths, he was making ground right to the line.
With the benefit of race experience and the more spacious Newcastle circuit, watch for Church Boy working into calculations late.
Diamond Fund placed on debut at Gosford and while perhaps Plan B for Gerald Ryan behind El Sasso, anticipated improvement at career start two off a master Timeform rating of 80 can see her in the mix.