New Zealand stayer Dionysus can lock in a Cups campaign over summer with a win in The Beauford at Newcastle

A step up to his pet distance has New Zealand stayer Dionysus well placed to rule in the Listed The Beauford at Newcastle.

Dionysus, the New Zealand gelding named after an Ancient Greek God, is ready to impose himself on the Australian staying ranks in the Listed $300,000 The Beauford (2300m) at Newcastle on Saturday.

New Zealand maestro Roger James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood, said Dionysus is getting out to his preferred distance range.

“His record at 2400m is superb and there are not a lot of options for him in New Zealand,” James said.

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“Then we spotted this race at Newcastle and thought we would send him over to see how he measures up.”

Dionysus, who is rated at $9 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting behind $3.70 favourite Wyclif, excels at 2400m where he has won three of his six starts including the Group 2 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Group 3 Waikato Cup.

The seven-year-old gelding goes to Newcastle after unplaced runs in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) when ninth behind Snazzytavi and then a last start fifth in the Bay Of Plenty Handicap (2100m) won by Fly Myhttps://www.racenet.com.au/search-results?s=Fly%20My%20Wey` Wey.

“He’s not really a weight-for-age horse then last start he ran well but this is more his right trip,” James said.

Dionysus takes out the G3 Waikato Cup for Roger James & Robert Wellwood with a great ride from Warren Kennedy@Kingsclere_Nz | @WaikatoStudpic.twitter.com/W48vUbTnut

— Trackside NZ (@TracksideNZ) December 16, 2023

* Charity the winner as Sydney night racing returns

Named after the Greek God of “wine and ecstasy”, Dionysus is raced by Ron and Fran Dixon.

“My first-ever client (owner) was Ron Dixon,” James revealed. “They have raced many good horses with me over the years like Cronus, Hades and Tethys.”

James said he will study how competitive Dionysus is at Newcastle before deciding where to keep the stayer in Sydney for an extended campaign over summer.

Meanwhile, the master trainer also conceded stable star Orchestral was below her best in Melbourne during the spring including her well beaten 12th behind Atishu in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington earlier this month.

James said Orchestral, winner of the New Zealand Derby and Vinery Stud Stakes at Group 1 level last season, was “back home in the spelling paddock” two days after that race and is confident the mare will return to her outstanding best next autumn.

Originally published as New Zealand stayer Dionysus can lock in a Cups campaign over summer with a win in The Beauford at Newcastle