Short-priced favourite Cross Talk led at a solid clip in Friday’s $200,000 Group III Horsepower Newcastle Stakes (1400m) at Broadmeadow Racecourse and was not for catching.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Cross Talk put a four lengths gap on the chasing pack rounding the home turn.
The 5yo son of Keano was on tired legs in the closing stages but had enough in reserve to defeat local hero Gem Song (Your Song) by a half-length, with Cuban Royale (Casino Prince) a short-neck back in third.
The Listed Winter Challenge Stakes winner at Rosehill last July, Cross Talk was spelled after finishing unplaced in the Group 1 Epsom Hcp at Randwick in October. He prepped for the Newcastle Stakes with a first-up second over 1400m at Rosehill on February 23.
With his second stakes success, Cross Talk advances his record to six wins, two seconds, and three thirds from 12 starts with earnings of $420,420.
Stable representative Neil Payne hopes that Cross Talk can make the field for the Doncaster Mile.
“He’s a fit horse, and Tim knows how to ride him,” Payne said.
“He let him stride, and he was just too fit for them.
“I think that’s Gai’s fifth win in the race.
“Gai and Adrian have the Donacster in mind for him. He will get in that with no weight. You never know in Sydney at Easter with the rain. He likes a bit of give in the track, so let's hope he gets there and will be hard to beat.
Cross Talk was bred by New Zealander Kerry Caldwell, who originally shared ownership when the gelding began his racing career for Debbie Harris.
Following a four-length romp at Taranaki at his career debut, Cross Talk was privately purchased in a deal brokered by Phill Cataldo.
The only stakes-winner for the stakes-winning Pins stallion Keano, Cross Talk is the best of two winners from three to race for the unraced Cape Cross (IRE) mare Mrs Cross.
Mrs Cross died last year, and Cross Talk is her final foal.
