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Everard Set To Light Up Canterbury

3 minute read

Trainer Kris Lees is hoping an allowance and the addition of blinkers will bring out the best in his promising two-year-old Everard at Canterbury tonight.

Lees has opted for blinkers on Everard in the 2YO Maiden Plate (1250m) with the Sebring fily to be ridden by apprentice Jean Van Overmeire.

Van Overmeire’s 3kg claim will bring Everard in with only 52kg, and she has drawn nicely in the field of seven.

Everard, a member of Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds’ team, was an eye-catching third on debut to Quackerjack and Secret Lady over 1100m at Randwick on December 30 but then never figured when sixth to Sandbar over 1200m at Canterbury on January 19.

Kris Lees
Kris Lees Picture: Racing and Sports

“I’m sure the blinkers will help her take a more prominent position this time,” Lees said.

“This will probably be her last run this preparation.”

Lees also runs Reach For Heaven, Feelin The Love, Star Reflection and Not Surprising at Canterbury.

Reach For Heaven ran a terrific race on resumption when narrowly beaten by Tip Top in a Benchmark 79 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on January 13.

Van Overmeire also partners Feelin The Love in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1550m).

The Savabeel mare appreciated the soft ground when successful last time out for Brenton Avdulla over 1550m at Canterbury on January 10, her fifth win on a wet track.

“She probably won’t get those conditions again but she is in good order and the claim certainly helps,” Lees said.

Star Reflection tackles the Benchmark 89 Handicap (1200m), and apprentice Rachel King’s 1.5kg claim lessens her weight to 51.5kg.

The mare has been freshened since taking on Listed company in the $125,000 Nudgee Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on December 30 when a $61 chance.

Star Reflection has been a very consistent mare, winning five and placing 10 times from 23 starts so far.

“This isn’t an easy assignment either, but she is drawn well and isn’t out of it by any means with the light weight,” Lees said.

Not Surprising was the medium of good support when she resumed at the Gold Coast Magic Millions meeting on January 13, finishing fourth to Zafina in the Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m) on January 13.

“She drew poorly that day, and would have gone close to winning with a soft draw,” Lees said. “She was little more than a length from the winner.”

Brenton Avdulla rides Not Surprising, another Prime Thoroughbreds representative, in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1100m) against her own sex.

Lees has won 84 races this season and is seeking to increase his tally with representatives at Newcastle and Rosehill on Saturday.

His definite Rosehill runners are the High Opinion and the resuming Admiral Jello but Villa Carlotta is unlikely to resume unless there is rain.

Lees will have specific instructions for Tim Clark on High Opinion.

After two good Canterbury placings, High Opinion was luckless when fifth to Carzoff over 2000m at Randwick on January 20.

“High Opinion has drawn well enough, and I want Tim to use the alley and position him closer to the lead.

“Admiral Jello has won first-up before, but in weaker company. I’m confident he is set for another good preparation.”
Racing and Sports

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