Newmarket Handicap: What you need to know

NEWMARKET HANDICAP

Run at Flemington over 1200m, $1.25 million, handicap

HISTORY

* First run in 1874 when won by Maid Of Avenel.

NOTABLE WINNERS

* Malua (1884); Wakeful (1901); Gothic (1927-28); Aurie’s Star (1937); Berborough (1946); Correct (1960-61); Century (1973); Maybe Mahal (1978); Placid Ark (1987); Shaftesbury Avenue (1991); Schillaci (1992); Exceed And Excel (2004); Takeover Target (2006); Weekend Hussler (2008); Black Caviar (2011); Lankan Rupee (2014); Brazen Beau (2015).

TALKING POINTS

* The Quarterback, Redkirk Warrior and Voodoo Lad will try to become the first horses to win the Newmarket first-up since Polycrates in 1917.

* The Quarterback is attempting to become the first horse to win back-to-back Newmarkets since Razor Sharp in 1982-83.

* Spieth is favourite to break through for his first Group One win having finished a close second in the Darley Classic and Lightning Stakes at Flemington in his past two starts.

WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

“This is the next step with her. We didn’t run her in the Oakleigh Plate on purpose just to have her spot-on for this. She’s in great order” – Super Cash’s trainer Andrew Noblet.

“He’ll rock up there in good order. It’s just a question of whether he can re-write the history books” – The Quarterback’s trainer Robbie Griffiths.

“We’ve got a fit and healthy horse that performed well in the Lightning which traditionally is a good lead-up race for the Newmarket. I’ve done my job and the rest is now up to Hugh (Bowman)” – trainer Bryce Heys on favourite Spieth.

“He’s an outstanding colt. He can win” – Extreme Choice’s trainer Mick Price.

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