There will be no re-match between Redzel and Redkirk Warrior in the Group 1 $1.25m Lexus Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on March 10 after The Everest winner wasn’t among the first acceptances today.

Redkirk Warrior, above, is among the first acceptances for the 2018 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Redkirk Warrior, above, is among the first acceptances for the 2018 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Last year’s Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior was one of thirty-three first acceptances for the famous sprint down the Flemington straight but the Snowden Racing Team decided against accepting with Redzel.

The Lindsay Park trained Redkirk Warrior showed his liking for the straight Flemington course and stormed home last Saturday to grab Redzel in the shadows of the post to claim the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) but they won’t be facing off again on March 10.

The Peter and Paul Snowden training partnership still has Russian Revolution alive in the Newmarket Handicap while Lindsay Park has accepted with a total of ten top line sprinters which includes last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy and 2017 Oakleigh Plate winner Sheidel.

Darren Weir has three first acceptors in Japanese import Brave Smash, Hellbent and last Saturday’s Flemington winner Ken’s Dream.

2017 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Merchant Navy, is the only first acceptor from the Aaron Purcell stable and is the early favourite for the Newmarket Handicap at $4.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Early betting for the 2018 Newmarket Handicap at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.50 Merchant Navy, $6 Rich Charm, $8 Redkirk Warrior, $11 Brave Smash, Supido, $13 Catchy, She Will Reign, $17 Booker, Chautauqua, Fastnet Tempest, Kementari, Missrock, Prezado, Russian Revolution, So Si Bon, $21 or better the rest.

First acceptances for the 2018 Newmarket Handicap (1200m)

# Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Hcp Rating
1 12x2316x1 BOOKER F 3 Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 101
2 44x2123x53 BRAVE SMASH (JPN) H 5 Darren Weir 108
3 16111250×6 CANNYESCENT G 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 96
4 110x21330x CATCHY F 3 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 102
5 3231x7644x CHAUTAUQUA G 7 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 115
6 81368x008x DERRYN H 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 102
7 311900821x FASTNET TEMPEST (IRE) G 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 98
8 98x4408x42 FLAMBERGE G 8 Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 110
9 x21x78192x FUHRYK M 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 103
10 1x2247x12x GLENALL H 4 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 93
11 4423x654x5 HELLBENT H 5 Darren Weir 105
12 196x1401x7 HEY DOC G 4 Tony McEvoy
13 1x29x4 I DID IT AGAIN G 3 Greg Eurell 70
14 21x4320x1 KEMENTARI C 3 James Cummings 102
15 75537×5141 KEN’S DREAM G 4 Darren Weir 95
16 415x66x165 LORD OF THE SKY H 7 Robbie Laing 106
17 1351x30x32 LUCKY LIBERTY G 6 Henry Dwyer 90
18 111x101x3 MERCHANT NAVY C 3 Aaron Purcell 108
19 x1449729x3 MISSROCK M 4 Robbie Laing
20 24x21x28 PREZADO G 3 Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 78
21 x105x100x1 REDKIRK WARRIOR (GB) G 7 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig
22 4111x411x4 RICH CHARM G 5 Udyta Clarke 103
23 11x43765x5 ROCK MAGIC G 8 Chris Gangemi
24 14x164x10x RUSSIAN REVOLUTION H 4 Peter & Paul Snowden 109
25 1x1x71192x SAVANNA AMOUR M 4 Chris Meagher 102
26 1x121x10x1 SHE WILL REIGN F 3 Gary Portelli 112
27 1460x4359x SHEIDEL M 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 110
28 12121x11x2 SNITTY KITTY M 4 Henry Dwyer 101
29 x22833005x SO SI BON H 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 95
30 3x930x15x4 SUPIDO H 6 Michael Kent
31 212x22150x THEANSWERMYFRIEND G 4 Henry Dwyer 96
32 1306x13x14 THRONUM H 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 104
33 135x2450x4 TULIP F 3 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 81

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.