Matcha Latte makes racing comeback in Newcastle

Matcha Latte is making a comeback after facing several challenges. He has returned from a stint in Hong Kong and is preparing to race in Newcastle on Thursday. The horse, trained by Sara Ryan, will compete in the Provincial Midway Championships Qualifier. This race is an important step toward the Championships at Randwick on April 12. Matcha Latte is a son of the famous Japanese racehorse Maurice and had shown great promise in his early career. In 2023, Matcha Latte raced in two Group 1 events as a three-year-old. After moving to Ryan's stable, he nearly won the Group 3 Carbine race but then had to spend over a year recovering from injuries. He made his return to racing last spring, finishing second in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap. Despite facing another setback due to a bleeding attack during training, Matcha Latte is back in form. He recently placed a strong second in a trial race at Newcastle on March 1. He is now seen as a favorite for the upcoming qualifier, with odds around $4.00. Other competitors include Wooloowin at $4.40 and French Ruler at $6.50. The top two finishers will qualify for the final race, which will feature 15 horses. The race at Newcastle is expected to run on a Good 4 track condition.