Avdulla backs Mashkoor to make it five

Group I winning-jockey Brenton Avdulla believes Mashkoor’s "class and ability to relax in his races” will deliver the gelding his third win this campaign in Wednesday’s Toohey’s New Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle.

Mashkoor dropped back from Saturday company when scoring a 2-3/4 length victory at Canterbury over 1550 metres on July 25.

"He beat them easily. I let him roll into a forward position and he went when I let him go,” Avdulla said.

The Hawkes Racing-trained galloper has won four of his nine starts. The jockey said the son of Elusive Quality was perfectly placed staying at the mile and only rising 1.5kg.

"He was dominant last start and the extra weight shouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

"He likes to roll forward and has won in all conditions so there’s a bit to like about him.

"He’s a horse that could progress to better races. he could have a class edge on them and looks one of my better rides there on Wednesday.”

Story: RaceNet