3 minute read

Kris Lees will wait until just before scratching deadline time in the morning before deciding Zaniah’s weekend assignment.

The talented Zoustar mare is an acceptor for both the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) at Canterbury tomorrow night and Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m) on the Kensington track on Saturday.

"I've got a slight leaning to running her at Canterbury, but will check the final scratchings in the morning before making a final decision," Lees said.

"I'm sure she will be hard to beat in whichever race she runs in."

Kerrin McEvoy has been booked for Zaniah  in both races, and will be a new rider for the New Zealand-owned four-year-old, who has been partnered by a different jockey at each of her four Australian starts since joining Lees' team.

She was ridden by Corey Brown (Taree), Aaron Bullock (Scone) and Hugh Bowman (Warwick Farm) when successful at her first three local starts before Jason Collett rode her at her last start at Royal Randwick on December 21.

Though beaten, she was very gallant in finishing a close third to Sophiella in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m).

"She didn't have any luck being forced to race wide and still finished off well," Lees said.

"I feel the 1100m suits her better than 1000m."

Whilst Lees has eight Kensington acceptors, Mr Garcia (1550m Handicap) and Asharani (1550m Benchmark 78 Handicap) are likely to be saved for respective races at Randwick a week later.

"Mr Garcia (an excellent third in the Summer Provincial Series Final at Gosford last Friday) is close to a win and Asharani has pleased since her latest Randwick victory, but I'm not keen to run her this week from an awkward draw on the smaller Kensington track," Lees said.

Lightly-raced three-year-old Geo, a son of Lees' former star mare Samantha Miss, lines up for his third start in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) against his own age.

Nash Rawiller rode him in his recent midweek victory over 1250m on the Kensington track when he overcame difficulties in the run, and Lees says he has seen further improvement in the colt.

"The only negative I have is that the 1300m now might be a bit short for him," Lees said.

"But he has definitely trained on well, and we may give him a break after this race.

"I'm sure he'll be even better come the autumn."

Our Gravano (Tommy Berry) runs in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) and, whilst his trainer  considers he would be better suited if the sting was out of the ground, the gelding has found his right distance.

Though Sam Clenton may not be able to use all of her 2kg claim on Witherspoon in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m), Lees is confident the pacy mare will be hard to beat.

"She was really good winning first-up for us on the Kensington track last month (in a 1000m Benchmark 70 Handicap on December 6), and the inside draw gives her another good chance," Lees said.

Star Reflection (Clenton) and Think Free (James McDonald) represent the stable in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).

"Star Reflection is back in class," Lees said. "She wasn't far away last time after a good third at The Hunter meeting at Newcastle on November 16.

"Think Free was good first-up in the Magic Millions 3&4YO Stakes (1200m) at Wyong last month, and this is more suitable. She has taken improvement from that race."

. Lees' Summer Provincial Series winner Occupy will attempt to make it three wins from as many starts this campaign at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

The import won the Hawkesbury heat (1500m) of the series on December 8 and then turned in an outstanding performance to circle the field on the home turn and beat Joigny and Mr Garcia in the $150,000 Final (1600m) at Gosford last Friday.