Minted looks to cash in with return to form at Newcastle

It's only his fifth start since debuting just over a year ago but a promising three-year-old can take the next step towards another metro run when he lines up at Tuesday's feature Newcastle meeting.

It seems a long time ago Minted, a gelded son of Medaglia d'Oro and now trained by Joe Pride, made his two-year-old debut for the Waterhouse-Bott stable before a dominant front-running maiden win at Warwick Farm to really announce himself.

But the excitement was soon tempered. Minted had only one more run, in mid-June, weakening late after stalking the speed in Saturday metro company to leave connections a little mystified. While a post-race examination did not reveal any problems, he was turned out for a lengthy spell and a stable change. He returned five weeks ago for the first of two trials .

Minted resumed with a strong run under a big weight at Kembla and looks well placed to break back into the winner's stall in a class 2 handicap (1200m), despite drawing wide.

Meanwhile, tough Wyong filly Trajection can continue her love affair with Newcastle in a competitive BM 70 handicap (1400m) to close the card.

Lining up for her seventh start this prep, which has already yielded three wins, the powerful daughter of Smart Missile is shooting for three straight at this track, and a 60 per cent winning rate.

Her two latest wins - in late March and just over a fortnight ago - have been here in this grade and were among her most impressive. On both occasions, she ripped home from well back in the field.

With some rain forecast, Trajection should also get her favourite soft surface, although she'll need to be at her best against some worthy rivals headed by promising Hawkesbury four-year-old and last-start winner Reiby's Regent, and three-year-old Godolphin duo Whispered and Golwen.

Supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au