Wide Open Cameron Handicap a Minefield

With Big Dance eligibility on the line, Friday's Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle sees a large field of 16 plus four emergencies come together, in what looks a very even field as many are racing first or second up from a break. Beaten just over three lengths when resuming recently in the Gr2 Tramway Quality, the Hawkes Racing-trained Swiftfalcon (Exceedance-Tempting Delight, by Northern Meteor) does have some handy second up form and in all three runs has never been out of the top three including a Listed win and a Group 1 placed effort suggesting the gelding has a level of class about him. Unfortunately drawn wide, jockey Tyler Schiller may need to ride for luck in the home straight, but he does have a strong finish and the fact he has not accepted for any races this Saturday, suggests connections are keen to run here. With three wins from his last four starts, the Joe Pridetrained Headley Grange (Exosphere-Hard Go Jo, by Hard Spun) has since gone to the trials for a nice second, and although he has not started at the track in the past, he has a first and a second from two starts at the distance suggesting he has the form to play a leading role in the Group 3 contest. One who has race fitness on his side is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Fully Lit (Hellbent-Sunlit, by Snitzel), but unfortunately the 4YO gelding is the third emergency; should he secure a run, he has a light weight and a good barrier to make his presence felt.