The training duo of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou is set to make a significant impact at the Newcastle races on October 15, 2023, with four promising horses ready to compete. Their campaign follows a recent success with the talented runner Good Hotspur at Hawkesbury, fueling optimism for a strong performance this Sunday.
Ryan and Alexiou’s first entry of the day will be Explicit, who races in the Tooheys Newy Super Maiden Plate over 1300 meters. This well-bred gelding, sired by Snitzel and out of the mare Breakfast In Bed, has shown potential with a placing at Kembla Grange following three race starts. Ryan commented on Explicit’s journey, noting, “He ran seventh on debut in a handy race at Warwick Farm. He followed that up with a fourth in the Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury and then ran third at Kembla Grange before we gave him a break.” After a couple of trials in preparation, Ryan believes Explicit is ready to perform well at Newcastle.
Mitchell Bell will ride Explicit, while jockey Jay Ford partners with Ryan and Alexiou on another entrant, Matias, in the Tooheys How Do You Feel Maiden Handicap over 1500 meters. Matias, also a gelding by Snitzel out of Never Listen, has had a modest racing history with only four starts. He has secured second place in both of his recent outings since returning from a spell. “He’s a talented horse,” Ryan stated, referencing Matias’s promising performances. “He resumed in a Super Maiden at Rosehill and ran really well when finishing second, and then we took him to Canterbury, where he ran second again.” With a chance to break his maiden at Newcastle, Matias is expected to be a strong contender.
In the Tooheys Extra Dry Class 1 Handicap and the Tooheys Old 4YO&Up Benchmark 64 Handicap, Tom Sherry will ride both Golden Loom and Rhegion, respectively. Ryan highlighted Golden Loom’s recent form, saying, “He’s had three starts back from a spell now and has been placed in the latest two at Newcastle and Kembla Grange.” With a consistent performance, Golden Loom is anticipated to deliver another strong showing. Rhegion, who won his maiden at Kembla Grange in May, faces a challenging race with a wide draw but has the capability to compete well.
As the Ryan and Alexiou stable gears up for a competitive day at Newcastle, their focus remains on achieving strong results with their well-prepared horses. Fans and followers of the sport eagerly await the outcomes as these promising contenders take to the track. Full race details and replays are available through Racing NSW at racingnsw.com.au.
