Newcastle preview: Mark Minervini feels a return to her pet track and distance can see Star Impact return to form

Mark Minervini is happy to forget the first-up run of Star Impact and expects the mare to find her best form when she steps out over her best distance on her home track.

Star Impact can add to her great record over the Newcastle mile. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Mark Minervini is banking on a return to Star Impact’s favourite track and distance to see her bounce back from her first-up failure.

Minervini knew moments after the start that Star Impact had lost her chance when she began awkwardly and settled near last in the field of 12 over 1350m at Wyong and eventually finish tenth behind Weeping Woman.

“It is was a mad leader’s track at Wyong that day which is can play like that sometimes and she was tardy away,” said Minervini.

“Once that happened and she was a long way off then, it was just game over.

“She has taken good improvement from the run though and stepping up to the mile and coming back to Newcastle are two ticks in my book.

Star Impact sends @minerviniracing home a winner and that's a riding double for @Aaronbullock90 👊@newcastleraces_pic.twitter.com/3uqwyc7CUo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 22, 2024

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“I’d like to see a better performance and I’m expecting she can go there and improve.”

The six-year-old lines up in the final event, the Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1600m where she has two wins and a second from three starts at Newcastle.

“She really loves her home track and if she brings her best form, she is going to be very competitive in this race,” he said.

“William (Stanley) is riding very well and getting plenty of winners so having his claim is another tick.

“He’s a good strong apprentice and getting a three kilo claim is definitely a bonus.”

Minervini is looking forward to Rose Of Dubai making her long awaited race debut in the Maiden Plate for Fillies and Mares (1200m).

The three-year-old was scheduled to have her first run at Newcastle on February 18 but was a late scratching after being fractious in the barriers.

“She has been a bit of a devil loading and behaving herself in the barriers,” Minervini said.

“We sent her to Matt Vella and he did a great job getting her to do the right things in the barriers.

“She has had two trials, one for Matt at Hawkesbury and one at Newcastle back with us the other day and I thought she trialled extra well.

“Liam (Blanch) just let her cruise up to the winner under a hold.

“I think we have overcome the barrier issues but we will just keep our fingers crossed that she does everything right this week.

Now that's a stylish debut from Bella Kathleen 👌 pic.twitter.com/uxPQ90dgFA

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 21, 2023

“She is a filly with plenty of ability and if she does jump, then I expect her to run a very good race.”

Rose Of Dubai will carry the colours of Eddie Boas made famous by the deeds of his tough Group 1 winner, Stony Bay.

“We’re thrilled to have Eddie involved. He asked if she could race in his colours and I said it would be a privilege,” Minervini said.

Three-year-old filly Castelle didn’t have a lot of luck when ninth over 1615m at Taree last start after a nice closing fourth at Tuncurry before that.

Although Minervini would have preferred her to step up in trip, she comes back a little in distance in the Super Maiden Handicap (1500m).

“It was a messy race at Taree the other day and Luke Rolls said she went better than what it appeared,” he said.

“The 1850m race didn’t stand up so go to 1500m which will be short of her best but she is a nice filly.

“From a good draw though, there is no reason she can’t settle a bit closer and run well.”

Former South Australian mare Bella Kathleen makes her debut for Minervini in the Class 1 Handicap (1500m).

“She is looking for some wet track and I’m sure we will get them through the winter,” he said.

“She can race up on speed and from a good draw, I think she will be prominent throughout.”