Aethelwulf’s 2026 Melbourne Cup Ambitions Ignited by Newcastle Gold Cup Win

The formidable stayer Aethelwulf made the significant step up to stakes level appear effortless, powering to victory in the Group 3 $300,000 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Broadmeadow this past Friday.

This triumph marks Aethelwulf’s fifth career win from seven starts and extends his current winning streak to four. He took the lead approximately 1000 metres from the finish line and simply outlasted his rivals to achieve a commanding win.

Trainer Matthew Smith has labelled Aethelwulf an exciting prospect and indicated that a start in the Group 1 $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3 is a possibility.

“I was a bit nervous before the race, I must say,” Smith shared. “But he seemed to get into a nice rhythm early and down the back it was a bit muddling and I guess Zac (Lloyd, jockey) thought they were going a bit slow so he let the horse stride and he was too good.

“Zac has so much confidence in this horse, from the first time he sat on him he’s raving about the horse.

“Aethelwulf is still learning but if he pulls up well we might look at the Bart Cummings or The Metropolitan, one or the other.”

Aethelwulf, a striking chestnut, is assigned a light weight of 51kg for the Melbourne Cup and is eligible for a penalty following his Newcastle victory.

However, Aethelwulf is currently quite low in the Melbourne Cup order of entry, presenting trainer Smith with a substantial decision to make regarding the four-year-old’s next engagement.

Aethelwulf firmed into $3 favouritism for the Group 2 $750,000 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3. On the same day, the Group 3 $300,000 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington offers the winner a coveted ‘golden ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup.

Despite coming off a benchmark 78 win at Rosehill and facing a direct jump to Group 3 company, Aethelwulf ($1.20 favourite) toyed with his opposition to win the Newcastle Gold Cup by over two lengths from Steel Blaze ($101), with Bella Montagna ($10) finishing a further half-length back in third.

Jockey Zac Lloyd was effusive in his praise for Aethelwulf after the impressive win.

“He was up against some seasoned stayers and Group 1 winners and he dominated them,” Lloyd commented.

“It’s exciting because he’s still so raw and he hasn’t found himself in a race with a genuine tempo.

“They were crawling in the first 1000m but I have so much faith in this horse, no matter what I do he will be able to overcome it.

“So, I thought I would rather keep him happy and float around them to go to the front. He’s got so much to learn but he’s very promising.”

The convincing performance in the Newcastle Gold Cup has propelled Aethelwulf into the 2026 Melbourne Cup discussion, with his weight and potential penalty being critical considerations.

For those keen on the action, exploring online bookmakers will provide the latest information on the race.