3 minute read

When Newcastle trainer Kris Lees lines up the classy colt Graff in Saturday’s Golden Rose at Rosehill it will be far different to when he had his first and only starter in the $1 milion race some 13 years ago.

Pre-post favourite Graff will be the first Golden Rose runner for Lees since 2005 when he started the filly Flora Danica in only the third running of the race since it was launched in 2003 to replace the Peter Pan Stakes.

Flora Danica started at $26 and finished 14th to Paratroopers but she subsequently showed her class to finish runner-up to the filly of the year Serenade Rose in both the VRC and AJC Oaks.

When Flora Danica ran in the 2005 Golden Rose Lees had won only one Group One race, with County Tyrone in the AJC Metropolitan in 2004.

His career as since come a long way as he now rates among the top 10 trainers in the country and is chasing his 15th Group 1 success in the Golden Rose.

Significantly Graff’s rider, the talented expatriate New Zealander Jason Collett is seeking a breakthrough G1 win in the Golden Rose.

The Racing and Sports data base shows that Collett, while a prolific winner of black type events, has ridden in 103 G1 races during his career in New Zealand and Australia for just 12 minor placings

Lees is confident Graff can give Collett that elusive win at racing’s elite level.

“I couldn’t be happier with Graff; he is in terrific order,” Lees said.

“He has tightened up a bit since his last run and the good draw is really important.

“I’m sure he is ready to run a strong 1400m.”

Graff won his first three starts including the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 25 when resuming before his first defeat after having to race wide on a sticky track when second to Lean Mean Machine in The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 8.

Lees has his usual strong team engaged on Saturday with Gem Song, Lady Of Shalott and Princess Posh given excellent chances in their races.

Gem Song and Lady Of Shallot both contest the Cabra-Vale Diggers BM 72 over 1300m while last start Newcastle winner Princess Posh takes on the best mares in the G2 Golden Pendant (1400m).

“Gem Song has come on well since his first-up placing and I expect him to be hard to beat,” Lees said.

“Lady Of Shalott has also taken improvement from her first-up third at the Wyong Cup carnival.

“This is a bit stronger but she is a nice filly who was placed in Listed company at the Scone carnival in May before a break.”

Princess Posh is backing up in the $400,000 Golden Pendant from her strong G3 Tibbie Stakes victory over the same distance at last Friday’s Newcastle Cup meeting.

“She has to go up another notch to win a Group 2 but has come through her Tibbie win well and is in good order.”

Lees has four acceptors at Saturday’s Queensland metropolitan meeting at the Sunshine Coast.

His definite starters are Intrinsic, Dal Cielo and Jack’s Bar with a decision to be made on a start for Progression in the Class 3 Plate (1000m).

Dal Cielo stayed at the Gold Coast after winning over 1200m at that track last month and won a 1000m trial at the Coast on September 11.

Jack’s Bar, a last start Newcastle winner over 1200m on September 4 with 61kg, has not finished further back than fourth in nine starts, winning three of them.

J R COLLETT