Newcastle Gold Cup tilt for No Compromise
Former Kiwi galloper No Compromise will have his second tilt at Group Three level when he contests the Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on Friday.
The son of Pins has had six starts in Australia for trainer Chris Waller for three wins and two placings, justifying former trainer Bill Thurlow’s decision to send him across the Tasman.
“He is going really well, they are really happy with him,” the Waverley horseman said.
“He has always been honest, so it’s good he is doing the job.”
The five-year-old gelding’s only unplaced run in Australia came last start in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Kembla Grange.
“It was still a very good run,” Thurlow said. “He just got back a bit and ran on well. It was off a little break too, so it was very good.”
Thurlow has received positive reports from Waller, who was a former employee of Thurlow’s, about the gelding.
“He has been very happy with him,” Thurlow said.
“He thought he would go through the rating bands reasonably well and put a bit of money in the bank.”
Thurlow is looking forward to watching No Compromise compete against a handy field on Friday, which includes the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained Group One winner Quick Thinker, a runner that would be suited by the current Soft conditions.
“It will be a good test. If he puts his hand up there, there is a good chance he might measure up to some of those better ones. It will be his biggest test so far,” Thurlow said.
“He is pretty tough so the step back up to 2300m will suit as well.”
All going to plan, No Compromise is set to step-up to Group One level in the Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 2, before a likely spell.
“I think his aim is more for this week than in two weeks time for the Metropolitan,” Thurlow said.
“We will wait and see what happens. We will give him this run and then after the Metropolitan we will put him out until the autumn.
“He is probably not quite top-class, but he is doing a good job.”
No Compromise had 12 starts in New Zealand under Thurlow’s care for two wins and six placings before he was transferred to Waller’s Sydney barn.