New Mandate (New Bay) wins the Hawkesbury Gold Cup, Group III for Chris Waller and owner Marc Chan.
He had shown promise in three previous Australian runs but it was a vote of confidence from leading jockey James Mcdonald following the horse’s recent trial that had the stable optimistic for a breakthrough win.
“James came and trialled him last Tuesday and said, ‘whatever I’m riding for you in the Cup, it needs to be New Mandate’,” Waller’s stable representative Charlie Duckworth said.
“That was a good enough steer for us that he was going in the right direction.
“He won that with a bit of authority and it’s just nice to get a win on the board for the horse because it has been a while between drinks.
“Hopefully he can step up from here.”
McDonald said New Mandate ($6.50) always felt like the winner and he took confidence from how strong the horse was at the end of the mile.
“He travelled beautifully and he presented like the winner at the top of the straight,” McDonald said.
“He was building through his gears beautifully and what I was most impressed with, he was so strong on the line. He never faltered at all, he just kept on galloping so very impressive winner.”
