2017 Newmarket Handicap Weights Released

2017 Newmarket Handicap weights have been released and it is multiple Group 1 champion Chautauqua who has been charged with carrying a topweight of 58kgs, should Team Hawkes elect to contest the race.

Reigning champion The Quaterback will carry 54.5kgs in the 2017 Newmarket Handicap. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Reigning champion The Quaterback will carry 54.5kgs in the 2017 Newmarket Handicap. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Chautauqua has been a standout performer since he made his racing debut in the spring of 2013 and has subsequently posted a commendable twelve wins and nine minors through his twenty-five career starts; highlighted by five Group 1 crowns.

The Encosta De Lago gelding resumed in 2016 for an impressive win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m), but was unable to make up the distance on The Quarterback when third in the Newmarket Handicap, with 58kgs in tow.

Having returned to winning form in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) before taking out the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) in Hong Kong on May 1st, Chautauqua failed to come up in spring and was sent for a spell following a lacklustre performance for seventh in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).

Chautauqua clearly lacked his once unbeatable turn of foot when he returned to the races for third in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) on February 11th and connections could elect to saddle the six-year-old in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick this weekend.

Terravista returned to the races for a smart win in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and will carry 56.5kgs in the Newmarket Handicap, should he accept into the race field.

Terravista posted a maiden win at the highest level in the 2014 edition of the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) and has amounted a career total of eleven wins and six minors, through his twenty-five appearances.

Reigning Newmarket Handicap champion The Quarterback carried 52kgs to success in 2016, but will have to overcome a still-manageable 54.5kgs in his title defence.

The Quarterback became fractious in the gates prior to the running of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes and was scratched from the race after suffering minor injuries.

The Street Boss gelding will subsequently contest the Newmarket Handicap as a first point of call in 2017, but is a proven fresh performer, having stormed home to win the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight upon resuming in spring.

Mick Price is set to saddle two legitimate chances of success and three-year-olds Extreme Choice and Flying Artie are treated particularly well in the 2017 Newmarket Handicap weights at only 52.5kgs.

Extreme Choice won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) in autumn last year, before resuming in spring for a dominant win amongst open company in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m).

Flying Artie capped an impressive 2016 campaign with a smart win in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on the Flemington straight in November, but failed to produce much when seventh in the Lightning Stakes first-up this time.

Black Caviar Lightning Stakes placegetters Spieth and Star Turn have been allocated 55kgs and 52kgs respectively in 2017 Newmarket Handicap weights.

2017 Newmarket Handicap Weights

# Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Hcp Rating
1 x1311x47x3 CHAUTAUQUA G 6 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 1 58kg 116
2 3x296x20x1 TERRAVISTA G 7 Joseph Pride 2 56.5kg 113
3 7x421152x1 SHEIDEL M 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 3 53.5kg 111
4 100x98x440 FLAMBERGE G 7 Darren Weir 4 55.5kg 111
5 1118x15x3 EXTREME CHOICE C 3 Mick Price 5 52.5kg 110
6 2x123x11x7 FLYING ARTIE C 3 Mick Price 6 52.5kg 110
7 x0111x12x2 SPIETH (NZ) H 4 Bryce Heys 7 55kg 110
8 256x1213x3 STAR TURN C 3 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 8 52kg 109
9 61539x146x THE QUARTERBACK G 6 Robbie Griffiths 9 54.5kg 109
10 2156x323x6 FELL SWOOP G 5 Matthew Dale 10 54kg 108
11 212311210x VOODOO LAD G 5 Darren Weir 11 53.5kg 107
12 x154231x27 I AM A STAR (NZ) F 3 Shane Nichols 12 50kg 105
13 61x26330x1 TIVACI H 4 Michael Moroney 13 52.5kg 105
14 121x1212x5 ILLUSTRIOUS LAD G 5 Peter Gelagotis 14 52.5kg 105
15 242x256Px1 TARGET IN SIGHT G 7 Joseph Pride 15 52.5kg 105
16 5x16225x72 FAATINAH G 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 16 52kg 103
17 1536x143x1 SUPER CASH M 4 Andrew Noblet 17 52kg 103
18 217x2602x8 COUNTERATTACK H 4 Chris Waller 18 52kg 102
19 x6025x7542 BIG MONEY G 7 Rodney Northam 19 52kg 102
20 0x11134x31 HEY DOC G 3 Tony McEvoy 20 50kg 100
21 1x11x113x9 SUPIDO H 5 Michael Kent 21 52kg 100
22 5120x5x21x REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) G 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 22 52kg 100
23 x10113x344 HELLBENT H 4 Darren Weir 23 52kg 99
24 L0x55402x5 MISS PROMISCUITY M 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 24 52kg 99
25 62x600x211 DAL CIELO (NZ) G 4 Kris Lees 25 52kg 93
26 11x477x250 EL DIVINO C 3 Darren Weir 26 50kg 89
27 0834260335 INSPECTOR G 6 Peter White 27 52kg 85
28 9x1x66735x MISSROCK F 3 Robbie Laing 28 50kg 81
29 6x1x14x320 GUARD OF HONOUR C 3 Kris Lees 29 50kg 79
30 21x531x569 PEACOCK C 3 John O’Shea 30 50kg 75
31 136 VILLA ROSA F 3 Ciaron Maher 31 50kg 64

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.