SCONE trainer Stephen Jones has scored a position in next month's $1.3 million Kosciuszko (1200 metres) courtesy of three-year-old gelding Nadaraja.
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Racing NSW made the announcement on Wednesday, with Nadaraja and fellow contender Front Page taking the number of runners to 11.
This leaves three spots available in the country feature, which is scheduled for Randwick on October 16.
Nadaraja and Front Page were both selected by Kosciuszko ticket holders from Wagga Wagga while a slot winner from Belmont has yet to reveal a representative.
Jones started racing Nadaraja, by Redoute's Choice from National Anthem, three months ago with trials in the Upper Hunter before a second on debut at Muswellbrook on July 31.
Nadaraja has since recorded back-to-back wins, both over 1100m at Scone. He tackled a heavy eight in a colts and gelding maiden on August 24 and followed up in a class two handicap on a good track last week.
Jones will now look at Randwick on Saturday with Nadaraja entered in the TAB Highway Handicap (1000m).
The trainer has also listed stablemate Akasaki in the Hurricane Handicap (900m) at Newcastle's provincial meeting on Friday.
Newcastle Cup (2300m) fields were released on Wednesday with local jockey Daryl McLellan on board Oakfield Missile in the $250,000 group 3 while Kris Lees-trained Luncies drew barrier seven.
McLellan has also been booked to ride Think Free in the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) and In Good Health for the Cameron Handicap (1500m).
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
