Travolta gets another chance to secure a Metropolitan berth when he lines up in the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup on Friday after a near miss in the City Tattersall’s Club Cup.

Sent out a short-priced favourite last start, Travolta was undone by a masterful front-running ride from James McDonald aboard Changingoftheguard, who dictated terms and proved too strong in a genuine staying test. Travolta fought on but could not reel in the winner.

Chris Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth expects that performance will bring the gelding on for this week’s assignment.

“It just got away from him a little bit, which was unfortunate because it was a race he could have won,” Duckworth said.

“But we won’t worry about spilt milk. It’s a small field but it looks a competitive race. The 2300 will be no issue and hopefully he can get himself right up the order in terms of getting into the Metropolitan.”

Waller has dominated the Newcastle Cup in recent years, winning six of the past 10 editions, and will saddle four runners this time. Travolta sits on the second line of betting at $3.40, with stablemate Soul Of Spain the $2.15 favourite after a pair of strong Queensland wins.

“This is going to be much harder stepping up to Group racing but he’s a beautiful style of horse,” Duckworth said of Soul Of Spain.

“He’s got a good action. He is a very clean winded horse and he covers the ground well. He’s one where we don’t really know where the ceiling is.”

Duckworth admitted even the stable was split on which runner had the edge.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” he said.

“They’re both highly progressive, they’ve both done everything we’ve put in front of them and it’s just going to be a case of who is better on the day.”

Friday’s card also features the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m), headed by $4 favourite Swiftfalcon, and the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m), featuring It’s A Knockout.

Punters can access odds for the Newcastle Gold Cup through Australia’s best betting sites.