Australia: Cross Talk can take them all the way in Newcastle Stakes

A minor stakes winner last July, Cross Talk did not have the same success in group stakes in Australia in the final months of 2022.

A winner of 5 of 11 starts, Cross Talk was third in a Group 3 at seven furlongs in September, but only eighth of 10 in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at a mile in his final start of the year in October.

The prospects for a breakthrough win are promising for Cross Talk in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes at seven furlongs at Newcastle Racecourse on Thursday evening.

Part of a field of 12, Cross Talk was the 6-5 favorite in early betting on Wednesday morning and will play a prominent role in the race as the expected pacesetter.

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Trained by Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse, Cross Talk was second as the 4-5 favorite in a lucrative seven-furlong handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Feb. 18. Cross Talk set the pace, and finished slightly less than 1 1/2 lengths behind race winner Zeyrek.

Zeyrek is nominated to three Group 1 races in April, and is not part of the Newcastle field.

Cross Talk, who will be ridden by Tim Clark, breaks from post 3, which should suit his forward style.

The $135,200 Newcastle Stakes is the second group stakes appearance of the year for Pizarro, a winner of 3 of 12 starts. Winless in three starts this year, Pizarro was fifth in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Jan. 28, and second in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Feb. 11, missing by a half-length.

Pizarro is a closer who will start at seven furlongs for the first time in the Newcastle.

The gelding Kiss Sum is a threat from off the pace, a style that led to a win in the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic at a mile at Eagle Farm last June. Kiss Sum is winless in four starts since mid-October, but was a troubled sixth in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Feb. 18. Kiss Sum raced in traffic in the final quarter-mile, and was beaten by 2 1/2 lengths.

Newcastle has an eight-race program beginning at 9:10 p.m. Eastern or 6:10 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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