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Fantastic win for Asharani at Newcastle

3 minute read

Talented mare Asharani gave Kris Lees a third Provincial Championships Finalist with a record-breaking victory at Newcastle today.

ASHARANI winning the Prov Championships Gosford Qualifier.
ASHARANI winning the Prov Championships Gosford Qualifier. Picture: Steve Hart

Asharani  (Brenton Avdulla) joined stablemates Stella Sea Sun  and Great Danger  in the $500,000 Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11 by storming home ahead of outsiders Through The Cracks ($17) and General Soho ($21) in the $150,000 1200m qualifier, which was transferred from Gosford last Saturday.

Relishing the big straight along with a fast pace, the $3.60 favorite clocked a new track record of 1:09.26 (last 600m in 34.32s).

"She was terrific," Lees said of Asharani's performance. "Most likely I won't run her again before the final."

Lees, who has already won two finals since the annual series was launched in 2015, is looking to further increase his 2020 numbers with four runners in Saturday's Kembla Grange Qualifier (1400m).

He will start Occupy (Sam Clenton), Juventus (Mitchell Bell), Enchanted Heart (Andrew Gibbons) and Frankely Awesome (Jeff Penza).

TAB market assessors this afternoon listed Frankely Awesome and Kembla local Electric Girl as $5.50 joint favorites.

"It's a very open race and none of our four have drawn well either," Lees said.

"I've got a slight leaning to Juventus over Enchanted Heart.

"Juventus (9th) wasn't far behind Asharani last time when she was runner-up in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick.

"I think that's the right form for a Provincial Qualifier.

"If Juventus can have some luck from his awkward draw, I'm sure he will be hard to beat. But Enchanted Heart keeps taking the next step each time she goes to the races."

Lees also is doubtful about starting Hawkesbury placegetter Great Danger again before the April 11 final.

"I'm 50-50 about running him again; he might have a trial instead," Lees said.

Stella Sea Sun (Avdulla), meanwhile, will have her final lead-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m).

"She is going well and although this is a step up in class, I feel she has at least a definite place chance," Lees said.

Avdulla will ride Stella Sea Sun 0.5kg overweight at 53.5kg.

Lees has one other interesting runner at the Kembla Grange meeting; Darleb (Clenton) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1200m).

The Uncle Mo three-year-old won a Wyong Maiden (1200m) on debut last October, and hasn't raced since.

"He needed time but is a nice horse and has come back well," Lees said. "He has had two trials to get him ready for his resumption."


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