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Refreshed Upscale Ready To Add To Rosehill Record

3 minute read

Dual acceptor Upscale is refreshed and ready to add to her 50 per cent winning record at Rosehill according to trainer Kris Lees.

Brenton Avdulla
Brenton Avdulla Picture: Racing and Sports

Lees chose the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) rather than a similar grade 1200m event against her own sex.

Upscale was also a dual acceptor when she scored over the Rosehill 1100m as a heavily-backed favorite on October 29.

It took an inspired ride from Brenton Avdulla to get the lightly-raced mare home in a tight finish, lifting her record to three wins from only six starts.

Lees has since taken full advantage of his Ellalong Farm property in the Lower Hunter Valley to give the mare some “R and R”.

“The break did her the world of good,” Lees said this morning. “She had a hard run that day, and has freshened up nicely.

“I’ve purposely given her four weeks between runs. She is fine and ready to go back to the races.

“Upscale drew poorly in the race I withdrew her from, and is a little better drawn in the last race.

“It’s not going to be easy to win, but I’m sure she will run well again.”

Upscale, with Avdulla again in the saddle, rises 2kg on her latest success.

Lees accepted with three mares in the 1100m Benchmark 78, but withdrew Awasita. His second runner is Twist Tops (Kerrin McEvoy), back from an unsuccessful Melbourne trip.

She finished last to talented Hawkesbury filly Spright in the G3 Crown Resorts Plate (1100m) on Oaks day (November 3) at Flemington.

“The only thing I can put it down to is that she didn’t handle the straight course,” Lees said. “She jumped awkwardly and was never comfortable afterwards.”

Twist Tops was an encouraging third to Top Striker in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) at Warwick Farm on October 3 when resuming.

Lees also has two representatives at the twilight program at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

He runs Yarrapower in the Class 2 Handicap (1100m), and Guthrum in the Maiden Plate (1100m). Andrew Gibbons rides both three-year-olds.

Yarrapower scored first-up at Gosford on October 6, then was beaten at his next start there when fifth over 1200m.

“I’ve kept a gap between that run and now, and feel he can improve tomorrow,” Lees said.

“Guthrum is improving and is in a suitable race. The extra distance should be in his favour.”

Guthrum was runner-up over 1500m at Port Macquarie at his latest start on November 10.


Racing and Sports

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