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

GALLERY: All of the photos from Newcastle Gold Cup 2026

"It's nice to have a horse that surprises you like that," trainer Matthew Smith said after Aethelwulf won the group 3 Newcastle Cup at Broadmeadow on Friday.

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