Doomben 10,000: Mark Newnham believes Group 1 race sets up well for Splintex

Mark Newnham says Splintex can be the stalker in the Doomben 10,000 and thinks he is a realistic chance of toppling star sprinter Eduardo in the first Group 1 of the Queensland winter carnival.

Newnham was initially hesitant about giving the last-start Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes winner a crack at the $1 million dash when it looked like Nature Strip would headline the field.

However, with Nature Strip now in the spelling paddock, Newnham’s confidence has soared and he will give Splintex a shot at winning a Group 1 at his third attempt.

Splintex has won more than $900,000 in prizemoney and six races from 16 career starts and Newnham said you can forget about his Melbourne runs as he doesn’t seem to like that way of racing.

Speaking before the Doomben 10,000 barrier draw, Newnham said he felt having Eduardo in the race could potentially be a help for Splintex rather than a hindrance.

Eduardo is likely to set a cracking pace up front, given trainer Joe Pride felt he went too slowly in front when running third behind Nature Strip in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.

Newnham won’t mind one bit if Nash Rawiller sets a hectic speed in front on Eduardo in Saturday’s 1200m Group 1.

“Eduardo races best when he goes fast, I get that,” Newnham said.

“The only thing with that is, they tend to go faster in Brisbane races than they do anywhere else.

“And my horse is a good stalking horse, maybe he might get that set-up in this race.

Splintex having a dip in Botany Bay with trainer Mark Newnham. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

“My horse’s two best wins were in the Arrowfield (2020) and the Hall Mark where he has had a leader to chase down.

“Easy Eddie led him up the other day and he enjoyed it. We will be a realistic chance in the 10,000.

“I was always going to enter him but I was never convinced of running him when it looked like Nature Strip would run, but we will be running now.”

Jockey Josh Parr, who rode Splintex in his Hall Mark win at Randwick on April 24, will be chasing his eighth Australian Group 1 win when he partners the Newnham sprinter on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tony Gollan sprinter Jonker won’t be seen in the Doomben 10,000 after having bruising and a possible infection in his hind leg.

Gollan hopes Jonker will be fit to race in the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on May 29.

Originally published asSplintex to relish stalker role in Doomben 10,000

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