"Jockey Tim Clark Aims for Hometown Victory with Rustic Steel"
In a thrilling showdown at The Hunter, local jockey Tim Clark rides Rustic Steel, hoping to secure a long-awaited hometown victory for trainer Kris Lees and seize a coveted $1 million prize.
In the highly anticipated The Hunter race in Newcastle, jockey Tim Clark plays a crucial role as he rides the only local contender, Rustic Steel, in collaboration with renowned trainer Kris Lees. With the community of Newcastle keenly awaiting a homegrown victory, Rustic Steel is set to shine, embodying both local pride and a seasoned ambition to win the $1 million prize—an achievement that has eluded Lees in recent years with horses such as Wandabaa (2021), Special Reward (2020), and Tactical Advantage (2019). Clark, a skilled jockey with an impressive history, will be making his debut on Rustic Steel, promising an exhilarating performance that has both fans and analysts keeping a close eye.
Clark faces significant challenges as Rustic Steel will need to adapt to a shorter 1300m distance, moving down from his recent victory at 1500m in the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury. “He performed well at Hawkesbury over 1500m, so he'll need to adjust for this shorter distance,” Clark stated, balancing confidence with practicality. With barrier three in place, Rustic Steel's position appears advantageous for a fast-paced race, particularly given the expected speed from Coal Crusher, who has drawn wide, and the swift Phearson. If everything unfolds as anticipated, Clark foresees a "genuine tempo," which could set up Rustic Steel for a strong finish if the speed remains consistent.
In addition to The Hunter, Clark has a busy day lined up with multiple notable rides. Among them is The Three Hundred, trained by the acclaimed Tulloch Lodge duo of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, which will participate in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m). Also on Clark's schedule is Nikau Spur, a winner of the Queensland Cup who is set to compete in the Listed The Beauford (2300m), further enhancing an impressive lineup. Each race presents its own set of challenges, but with his vast experience, Clark has the potential to stand out as one of the key jockeys of the day.
In addition to his other commitments, Clark is scheduled to ride Ganbare, another contender from Tulloch Lodge, in the Alf Kneebone Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m). Ganbare, known for his stakes performance, didn't have the best start to his current season, but Clark remains optimistic after observing the horse closely in trials. “He didn’t quite exhibit his potential in his first race back, and his latest trial could have been better,” Clark noted, yet he holds onto hope. “Ganbare has the pedigree, as evidenced by his victory in the Dulcify Stakes and a strong preparation for the Spring Champion. If he can regain that form, he’ll certainly be in the running for a top finish.”
Boasting a strong lineup of stakes events and demanding handicap races, Newcastle's racetrack is set to present an impressive array of top-tier talent. Clark's carefully selected mounts will be a highlight for both passionate fans and experienced analysts. His partnership with Rustic Steel may very well become the defining moment of the day, capturing the aspirations of Newcastle while exemplifying the determination, accuracy, and expertise that Clark consistently demonstrates in every race he participates in.
