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Mustajeer heading for the Cup after a perfect preparation

3 minute read

Kris Lees says Mustajeer has had “the right preparation” for Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick.

MUSTAJEER winning the Parramatta Cup
MUSTAJEER winning the Parramatta Cup Picture: Racing and Sports

Lees, seeking to add a second Cup to his 2006 victory with then stable stalwart County Tyrone, has three representatives in the 3200m feature and regards Mustajeer (Nash Rawiller) as his best chance.

"Mustajeer  has had a really good preparation for the Cup, and is in terrific order," Lees said this afternoon.

"All his three runs leading into Saturday have been excellent, and he is coming back to handicap conditions.

"I'm sure he will be hard to beat.

"If there is more rain, Raheen House  (Brenton Avdulla) will come even further into the race.

"He was good winning the Chairman's Quality last Saturday and I've got no doubts he will back up well."

Whereas Mustajeer ($5) and Raheen House ($8) figure strongly in the pre-post market, Lees' other runner Saunter Boy (Jay Ford) is rated a $41 outsider.

"I have decided to take winkers off because he raced a bit fiercely at his first run back when fifth over 2000m at Rosehill late last month," Lees said.

"If ever he ran up to what he can do on the track, he is definitely capable of winning a good race."

Lees is chasing the Provincial Championships Final (1400m) for a third time – and has one-third of the field with five runners; Asharani (Avdulla), Animate (Tom Marquand), Great Danger (Rawiller), Stella Sea Sun (Glyn Schofield) and Enchanted Heart (Jason Collett).

Asharani  and Animate  are currently $5 joint second favorites behind Kembla Grange Qualifier winner Electric Girl ($4.50).

"I feel Asharani is our best chance," Lees said.

"She ran a track record in winning the Gosford qualifier run at Newcastle, and has trained on strongly.

"Asharani will relish the 1400m at Randwick, and handles soft and heavy ground."

Lees has opted for gear changes on Great Danger, who has blinkers back on, and Stella Sea Sun, who will wear them for the first time.

"I took blinkers off Great Danger at his last run at Muswellbrook (only eighth as a $2.05 favorite in the 1280m Wayne Harris Showcase), but it didn't work," Lees said.

"He'll roll forward from the wide gate.

"I'm hoping putting blinkers on Stella Sea Sun will help her focus better."

Stablemate Bubbles Ball is first emergency and waiting in the wings in case there is a withdrawal.

Game Of Thorns (Avdulla, Group 1 Australian Oaks at 2400m) is another of the trainer's major Randwick representatives.

"She is racing well and is very fit," Lees said. "She is in there with a chance."

Invincible Gem (Rachel King) and Delectation Girl (Collett) in the Group 1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) and Chianti (Kerrin McEvoy), in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m), make up Lees' team on Day 2 of The Championships.

He had to scratch Miss Fabulass from the Coolmore Legacy because of a temperature yesterday, but she is recovering well.

"Invincible Gem has been a bit plain at her last couple of runs but races well at Randwick, whilst Delectation Girl was good last time when she came from last and finished sixth in the Emancipation Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill," Lees said.

"Chianti scored nicely on debut at Warwick Farm in midweek company, and this is a big step up in class.

"She is a very nice filly and we'll see how good she is on Saturday."

. Blazing Sunrise (Andrew Gibbons) is Lees' sole runner at his home track meeting on Saturday, in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1850m).

"He is dropping back from the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last time when he finished fifth to the subsequent Australian Derby quinella pair (Quick Thinker and Zebrowski), and gets his chance to win again," Lees said.

. Last year's Australian Oaks placegetter Frankely Awesome (James McDonald) will represent the stable at Monday's Warwick Farm public holiday meeting, in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (2130m).

"Frankely Awesome had a knee issue last year and required surgery, and has had only the one run back in the Kembla Grange Qualifier (1400m) on March 21," Lees said.

"She is stepping up to a more suitable distance, and a wet track would definitely enhance her chances."


Racing and Sports

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