Former European stayer Berdibek will attempt to win his third black-type race in as many starts when he lines up in the group 3 Sharp Office Newcastle Gold Cup (2300 metres) on Friday.
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The Gold Cup, with increased prizemoney of $250,000 this year, highlights a cracking race meeting, which also includes the group 3 Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicap and group 3 Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes.
Berdibek, sourced in Europe by John O'Shea for his high-profile owners more than three years ago, has been in outstanding from. The big grey's last-to-fourth performance in July's Grafton Cup was an eye-catcher.
After a six-week break he came from second last to win the Listed Hawkesbury Rowley Mile. Two weeks ago, Berdibek came from near last on the home turn to win the Listed Wyong cup by 1.5 lengths running away.
O'Shea is praying for a dry track on Friday.
"Five of his six wins have been on the firmer tracks, and I believe with no rain, the Newcastle track may get to a Good 4 or a Soft 5 at the worst," O'Shea said.
"Berdibek, as we know, is flying this preparation and he will love the spacious Newcastle track with the long straight.
"Christian Reith has ridden winners for me and I was pleased to move early and secure him for the ride. Newcastle has been a happy hunting ground for me."
The Gold Cup is a wide open affair with many winning prospects.
Peter Snowden, born and bred in the Upper Hunter where he rode and started his training career, is hoping to win the only Newcastle race that has eluded him on Friday, the Tibbie for fillies and mares.
On Friday Snowden and his son Paul will saddle up talented mare Mirra Vision in the Yarraman Park Tibbie Stakes (1400m).
Mirra Vision has won six of her 16 starts and was successful in her only Newcastle start. She hasn't raced since an easy win at Randwick on July 31, however she was impressive in winning a recent Randwick trial on September 2.
"There is only one of Newcastle's group races that I have not won," Snowden said.
"It is the Tibbie Stakes and I believe Paul and I have the right horse this year. Mirra Vision is the one and she has a very good record and is flying."
The Hawkes-trained Rock will attempt to create history by being the only sprinter to win three successive Australian Bloodstock Cameron Handicaps on Friday.
The six-year-old indicated he was ready when finishing fourth behind Zaaki in the recent Randwick Tramway.
The James Cummings-trained Silhouette and the Hawkes filly Yearning look good bets in races one and two.
