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By Gary Harley

Wyong-trained Fioprospero ($2.50 favourite on TAB), responsible for eye-catching performances in all three starts this preparation, has bright prospects in the B&R Class 1 & Maiden Plate (1895m) at Newcastle Jockey Club's meeting on Saturday.

First-up this time in the son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente’s trainer Kristen Buchanan sent the gelding to Dubbo for a 1300m Class 1 Handicap on June 19.

With 61kg on his back Fioprospero found the trip short of his best and he powered home from the back to go down by 1.53 lengths.

Fioprospero (Lee Magorrian) lands the prize at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

Second-up at Newcastle the four-year-old powered home from second last when runner up to the smart Imposant in a 1400m Class 1 Handicap on June 29.

Last start, again at Newcastle on July 13, he stepped up to the 1600m in a Benchmark 64 Handicap and his performance to finish third a length from the winner was outstanding.

Fioprospero settled in last place in a field of 12 and was second last at the top of the straight.

He had to switch course 200m out and then powered home.

The longer trip is ideal and at Newcastle he has had six starts for a win and four placings.

Kris Lees’ New Zealand-bred mare Shuri ($3 fav) will be hard to beat in the Prysmian Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m).

She won her first two starts at Taree and Newcastle in October and November.

After two unplaced runs in May, the five-year-old found form in a Newcastle Benchmark 64 Handicap on July 16.

She settled last in the 1400m event and flashed home late to finish second just 0.7 len from the winner. Shuri is crying out for Saturday’s trip and Andrew Gibbons rides her for the first time.

The James Cummings-trained filly Homecoming ($2.60 fav) is trialling well enough to win on debut when she contests the Haneco Maiden Plate (900m).

The three-year-old led all the way hard held to win a Warwick Farm trial on July 15. The filly has had four trials and Mitchell Bell has the mount on Saturday.

Captain Eagle ($2.70 fav), costly to favourite backers in his only two starts is ready to atone in the CNW – Jockeys Celebration Day Midway Maiden Handicap (1200m).

After very good trial form the four-year-old was a $2.15 favourite in a Kembla maiden on debut on June 20. He enjoyed a lovely trail behind two leaders and had every chance when finishing second, half a length from the winner.

His only other start on July 11 he was fractious in the barriers and did not handle the heavy track when beaten 8 lengths, again at short odds. Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have opted for blinkers for the first time and that could be the key to success.

The Waterhouse-Bott trained colt Trunk ($2 fav), placed in both metropolitan starts in July is set to break through in the Clevertronics Super Maiden Plate (1400m).

The three-year-old is very quick and has led when placed in both starts at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Last start at Canterbury on July 24 he missed by less than half a length after being run down late.

Trunk will be ridden by Jean Van Overmeire who rode 104 winners in the recently completed 2023/24 season.

Cranbourne trained Poppin’ Champagne ($4.60 fav) is well placed in the final event, the Cabac Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m). Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) the mare was placed in the Listed-Morphetville Guineas in March.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here