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Rain will be a huge boost for Asharani

3 minute read

Forcast rain will be a blessing for Asharani if it arrives before Saturday’s $150,000 Provincial Championships Qualifier (1200m) at Gosford.

Asharani winning the Heineken 3 (Bm78)
Asharani winning the Heineken 3 (Bm78) Picture: Racing and Sports

Kris Lees is banking on the rain prediction coming true to increase the mare's chances as he seeks to add to his current two qualifiers (Stella Sea Sun and Great Danger) for the $500,000 Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

Lees accepted with Asharani Asharani  (apprentice Sam Clenton), Bombasay (Chad Lever) and Bubbles Ball (Andrew Gibbons) for the third qualifier of the 2020 series.

Bubbles Bill will race in a tongue tie.

"I'm not definite about running Asharani unless the rain arrives," Lees said this afternoon.

"Asharani is racing really well, and is a winner on both soft and heavy ground.

"The 1200m is as short as she wants, so the rain would be very handy."

Asharani found the 1200m a shade short last time when a strong-finishing second to Trumbull in a Benchmark 88 Handicap at Randwick on February 29 and now meets him 2.5kg better.

"Bombasay  is putting together a good record (winning three of his five starts), and keeps improving," Lees said.

"But he can do a few things wrong, and may not be best suited around the tight Gosford track.

"Bubbles Ball has been freshened and is coming back to 1200m. She can be competitive."

Lees has also accepted with Blazing Sunrise (1600m Class 2 Handicap), Elegant Grace (1000m Maiden Plate), and I Say Hello and Meydan Lass (1100m 2YO Maiden Plate) at Gosford.

"Blazing Sunrise is fitter for two runs back and getting to a more suitable distance," he said.

"Elegant Grace was placed at Warwick Farm last October on debut, and has had two trials to prepare her for this return and should run well.

"I'm not certain about running I Say Hello from a wide draw. She is a nice filly who has trialled well."

. Underrated filly Game Of Thorns (Tim Clark) will be Lees' sole representative in tomorrow's $200,000 Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) against her own sex.

Game Of Thorns drew poorly but still managed a great finish under 60.5kg to narrowly land a Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) on resumption at Newcastle on February 29.

"She has drawn awkwardly once more, so we will ride her in a similar manner again and see if her she can overhaul them," Lees said.

 . Lees has three runners at the feature Gold Coast meeting on Saturday – and all are in the same race.

Hallelujah Boy (Ryan Wiggins), Mr Garcia (Larry Cassidy) and recent winner Mongolian Wolf (Robbie Fradd) contest the Gold Coast Stakes (1800m).

"All like the wet and I can't really split them, but Mr Garcia is not far off a win," Lees said.


Racing and Sports

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