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Ramornie Handicap New Target For Thump

3 minute read

Multiple Group winner Thump will chase a consolation big race victory in next month’s Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.

Thump
Thump Picture: Racing and Sports

Trainer Kris Lees was forced withdraw the mare from the final G1 race of the season at the Gold Coast last Saturday, the $500,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m), due to a stone bruise.

Thump is now back at Lees’ Newcastle stable but will again trek north for the $150,000 Crowe Howarth Ramornie (1200m) on July 8 in a bid to five the trainer his first win in the feature sprint of the Grafton carnival.

Lees was disappointed Thump did not get the opportunity to contest the Tatts Tiara.

“It turned out to be an on-pace race,” Lees said. “We’ll never know of course, but Thump races on the speed and may have at least managed a place.

“She has recovered quickly, so we will have a shot at the Ramornie.”

Lees has not had a starter in the Ramornie since Motspur finished third behind Jerezana and Falco Star in 2011.

His only previous Ramornie runner had been Captain Bax, who started in the race twice for a sixth in 2006 and a second to The Jackal in 2008.

Max Lees, the late father of the Newcastle trainer made many attempts to win the Ramornie without success. He came closest when Classic Victory finished second to Regal Affair in 1988.

Lees was disappointed Thump did not get the opportunity to contest the Tatts Tiara.

The Ramornie winner is exempt from the ballot for Newcastle’s G3 Cameron Handicap in September, a race Lees plans to target with Thump after the Grafton trip.

Meanwhile Lees has aborted plans to tackle Saturday week’s $150,000 Listed Queensland Cup at the Sunshine Coast with imported stayer Doukhan.

He has sent the last start Rosehill winner for a spell after deciding that the former French six-year-old had come to the end of his first Australian preparation.

Doukhan overcame difficulties to win a Benchmark 75 Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill on June 8 for his first Australian success at his fourth appearance since joining the Lees stable.

Lees will be represented at Doomben on Saturday by Savanero, sending the 4YO north in a bid to see him break his maiden status in the $100,000 Brisbane Town Maiden Plate (1350m).

Jim Byrne will ride Savanero, who has been placed at five of his nine starts and is four from five since joining Lees’ stable.

“I had this race in the back of my mind,” he said. “They’re often no stronger than some of the races he has been contesting down here and it’s worth $64,000 to the winner.”

Lees has added blinkers and a tongue tie to Savanero’s gear to hopefully clinch him his first success.

Savanero has raced once since resuming, finishing fourth to Happy Diamond over 1100m at Gosford on June 4.

Lees’ prepared three winners last Saturday to edge closer to a record-breaking season.

Prior to today’s Wyong meeting, he had prepared 105 winners for the current season – only four short of his 109 best in 2012-13.

He has also trained 156 placegetters and his horses have amassed prizemoney of $4,424,162 – a new benchmark for the stable.

This is the fourth occasion Lees has topped the century mark in a season. Aside from his 109 winners in 2012-13, he also won 106 races in 2008-09 and 105 races the following season.

Racing and Sports

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