The solidly supported Hush Writer proved too strong for his opposition with a hard fought win in the Group 3 $200,000 Sharp Electronics Group Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) at Newcastle today.

Hush Writer, above, was able to hold off all the challengers to win the 2019 Newcastle Gold Cup at Newcastle. Photo by Steve Hart.

Jockey Tim Clark settled Hush Writer just behind the leaders and produced the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained import at the top of the straight for a clear run to the line.

Clark wound up Hush Writer who fought hard to the line to hold off the challengers of the runner up Attention Run and the favourite Our Candidate.

Hush Writer was solid in the betting and was sent out as the $5 second favourite and denied trainer Kris Lees a home town victory after he saddled up runner up Attention Run ($13) and the $2.90 favourite Our Candidate.

Kerrin McEvoy had the runner up Attention Run in the firing line from the outset and the German import was brave in the run to the line while Brenton Avdulla brought Our Candidate out of the pack down the middle of the track and just as he looked the winner, faded slightly on his run.

“The race worked out perfectly,” Hush Writer’s co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

“We wanted to get a bit of cover today and it was a real genuine test. Slotted in beautifully from what could have been an awkward draw.”

“Tim did a great job and I loved the way he was travelling there from the 800m onwards.”

“It was good to see him strong late. He might have been out on his feet there but he fought them off well, so still improvement to come.”

Hush Writer is now on track to take his place in the Group 1 $750,000 Heineken 3 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5, the race that Bott said the five year old has been targeted for.

“He will go to the Metropolitan next, that is the race that we had him targeted for and then we can make a few plans after that,” Bott said.