Bold Trease Rematch Highlights Newcastle Cup

THE Gardens on Friday night will host a thrilling rematch of Stagger Out Lee and Cawbourne Magic when the first and second from last week's Group 1 Bold Trease at Sandown Park clash in a heat of the Newcastle Cup (715m).

One and a half lengths separated the pair in the Bold Trease decider with Stagger Out Lee coming from last to wear down Cawbourne Magic in the home straight to claim the $100,000 winner's cheque.

FIELDS AND FORM THE GARDENS FRIDAY NIGHT

But Stagger Out Lee's trainer Jack Strutt is adamant Cawbourne Magic is much better suited around The Gardens.

“Cawbourne Magic was third in The 715 back in June and his racing pattern is well suited to the track,” said Jack of the Jodie Lord-trained star.

But that's not to say Jack does not believe Stagger Out Lee (My Bro Fabio-Parrydise Star) cannot run him down again.

“The small field (six runners) is to her advantage and the wide draw ((box seven) will not worry her either,” said Jack.

Jack reported the bitch pulled up “perfect” after her Bold Trease win and her five-hour drive back to Springvale near Wagga.

“She has not run over 715 metres at The Gardens but she has had three starts over the 600 and the first time I took her there she won by nearly 15 lengths,” he said.

“I could not believe the run home time in the Bold Trease. She went 10.77 but her previous best there was in the high 10.80s.

“The big gap she got on the home turn was there to be taken.”

Jack's parents, Paul and Leanne, stayed in Melbourne on Saturday night to celebrate the victory but Jack drove home by himself arriving at Springvale at 5am.

Stagger Out Lee LAUNCHES and wins the 2022 Bold Trease Final! ? pic.twitter.com/nyiQiQSg2n

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 26, 2022

“Yes, I made the trip by myself, but the five hours went pretty quick and I didn't need as much coffee either,” he said.

The trip from Springvale to The Gardens is six hours.

“Mum and dad went down in their car to Melbourne and stayed over,” said Jack.

“We even took his now famous ‘Strutt In, Stagger Out' tee-shirt with us and produced it at the presentation.

“Mind you, there was no way it was going to fit dad.”