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Randwick Distance Test For Admiral Jello

3 minute read

Trainer Kris Lees considers it is the right time to again test Admiral Jello at 2400m at Randwick on Saturday.

Lees has “borrowed” Godolphin jockey James Doyle to partner the four-year-old in the TAB Benchmark 83 Handicap.

At his only previous attempt at the distance, Admiral Jello finished ninth to Eagle Way in the G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm on June 11.

He was gelded and rested afterwards and has been in superb form since beginning his four-year-old season, winning once and being placed three times from four starts.

“Admiral Jello was at the end of his last campaign when we ran him in the Queensland Derby,” Lees said. “He is definitely a better horse now as his form indicates.

“He has had a good grounding for the 2400m, and it’s the right time to try him again at the distance.

“I feel he will handle it and run well again.”

Admiral Jello, by champion stallion Fastnet Rock, is from the noted staying mare Demerger who won eight races including three at Flemington up to 2500m as well as the Adelaide Cup over 3200m in 2005 when it carried Group 1 status.

Admiral Jello was responsible for an excellent performance at his last start when narrowly beaten by Burning Energy (a rival again) in a BM 78 (1900m) at Canterbury on December 31.

Wide on the home turn, he sustained a determined run and just failed to overhaul the winner. The scales swing his way on Saturday as he meets Burning Energy 4.5kg better.

Talented stablemate Reach For Heaven, who has raced only three times, begins a new campaign in the ALM BM 71 (1200m).

Reach For Heaven won his maiden on the Beaumont track in September during the Newcastle Cup carnival and then finished third to Niccolance at his city debut over 1400m against his own age at Randwick on October 8.

The runner-up that day was Comin’ Through, who subsequently won the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington to open the Melbourne Cup carnival and is widely regarded as a horse of the future.

Reach For Heaven has trialled twice in preparation for his resumption and Lees has booked Adam Hyeronimus to ride him.

“This run will definitely bring Reach For Heaven on, but he is a nice horse and is not to be underestimated,” Lees said.

Apprentice Blaike McDougall rides Awasita in the TAB.com.au BM 78 (1100m), lessening her 58.5kg allocation by 3kg.

The mare has been placed at her last two Sydney starts, and has come up with the rails alley.

“There’s nothing wrong with her form, and the soft draw gives her a great chance to break back into the winning list,” Lees said.

Lees does not have a representative in either the Magic Millions 2YO and 3YO Classics at the Gold Coast on Saturday but has five runners at the $10 million raceday.

They include three Upstart (Ben Melham), Lomazzo (Kerrin McEvoy) and Little Shocker (Brenton Avdulla) in the Country Cup (1200m).

Lomazzo will race in blinkers.

“As always it’s a tough race, and my three horses have all had one run back,” Lees said. “Upstart did the best of them and is probably the pick of my trio.”

Rhymes (James Orman) tackles the Maiden Plate (1200m) and Rustic Melody (Melham) runs in the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy (2200m).
Racing and Sports

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