Cuban Cigar lights up Newcastle as Bartley eyes The Gong

Trainer Tracey Bartley revealed his lofty ambitions for Cuban Cigar who was rewarded for his recent consistent efforts with a deserved win in the Legend Mile (1600m).

“He’s a really nice horse, I want to back him up next Saturday in The Gong if he gets a run and claim if I can,” Bartley said.

“Will he get enough benchmark (rating) points, I don’t know.

“If we don’t get into The Gong, he will go to the spelling paddock and come back for The (Provincial-Midway) Championships in autumn.”

Cuban Cigar, ridden by Jason Collett, was backed into $3.60 favouritism, and held off the late surge of Amreekiyah ($3.70) to win by a half length with Hammoon Sensation ($8.50) two lengths away third.

Cuban Cigar fends off Amreekiyah in a great duel at Newcastle 💪

That’s a double for Jason Collett ✌️

@TBartleyracing https://t.co/HDMk9kUk9Y

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 14, 2026

Collett, who completed a double in successive races after scoring in the previous with Change My Address, said it was “worth a look” to consider a Gong start for Cuban Cigar.

“He’s a very likeable horse,” Collett said.

“One thing I marked down when I did the form was if we got into a dog fight he would come out on top and he showed that today.”

Cuban Cigar won at Wyong to start his campaign then has been placed in four of his next five starts including three in city grade before his Newcastle stand-alone win.

Bartley said he instructed Collett to deliberately put Cuban Cigar in the contest early.

“I left him a little bit fresh so he could be ridden closer,” Bartley revealed.

“I told Jason not to leave him with a big job to do, ride him like a good thing.

“He was a bit unlucky the other day but he pulled up terrific. He’s had a good preparation and deserved that win.

“I will have him out tomorrow morning on the water walker and will pick him up on Wednesday. If he’s in good order we will look at The Gong.”