3 minute read
Kris Lees opted for Sydney rather than Brisbane because he considered it the best option for Miss Fabulass’ Stradbroke Handicap test tomorrow.
The classy mare was an acceptor for both the Octagonal Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick and Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm; the latter carrying both ballot and penalty free exemption for the Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) there on June 6.
"I was looking for a good draw for Miss Fabulass, but when she drew well in both places, I decided to stay at home with her," Lees said this afternoon.
"Randwick appeared the better option at 1400m rather than bringing her back to 1200m in Brisbane.
"She might have found them a bit sharp at that distance in the Victory Stakes."
Lees is pleased with Group 1 placegetter Miss Fabulass' progress since her excellent autumn performances when runner-up in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14 and then fourth in the Emancipation Stakes over the same course a fortnight later.
The Coolmore was run on a "Heavy 9", the same current rating for tomorrow's meeting.
Miss Fabulass showed she has held her form by winning a 1000m barrier trial at Gosford on May 5.
Kerrin McEvoy, who rode the mare in her Coolmore placing, is back aboard tomorrow.
Miss Fabulass has 51kg in the Stradbroke and currently 26th in order of entry, but Lees is expecting her position to improve dramatically once first acceptances are taken on Wednesday.
Perfect Radiance (Brenton Avdulla) goes to town for the first time tomorrow following her impressive debut win at home against older rivals and her own sex in a 1200m Maiden on May 9.
She is back against her own age in the 2YO Handicap (1300m) for her city debut.
The form from her Newcastle victory was confirmed at Hawkesbury yesterday when the second and third placegetters (Spirit World and Obscene) both won.
"Perfect Radiance is a nice filly who has trained on well," Lees said. "This looks a pretty strong race, and it will give us a good guide as to where we are with her."
Veteran High Opinion (Jason Collett) won't mind the heavy conditions in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).
He closed strongly, though well beaten, when fourth to House Of Cartier in the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) on a "Heavy 9" on May 1.
"He ran his race in patches, and looked like dropping right out at one stage before getting to the line well," Lees said.
Witherspoon (apprentice Louise Day) and Longbottom (James McDonald) are acceptors for the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m), but the former is not a certain starter because of the heavy ground.
"Longbottom will be suited if some of the speedsters start to get tired in the conditions," Lees said. "She will be strong to the line."
. Lees had seven acceptors for his home track meeting tomorrow – where the rail is out 10m – but has already withdrawn Meadow Land (2YO Maiden Plate, 900m) and Power Of Wexford (F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1300m).
Sammy, Miss Fabulass' younger half-brother and the sixth foal of Lees' former champion Samantha Miss, makes his debut in the Maiden Handicap (1200m) for colts, geldings and entries, and will race in blinkers.
"Like his older brother Geo, Sammy is going to be better when he gets over more ground," Lees said.
"But I expect him to be competitive."
Our Gravano (apprentice Tom Sherry), Controlthewitness (Andrew Gibbons) and Alam Mo Na (Ben Looker) are the trainer's trio in the Conditional Benchmark 70 Handicap (1895m).
"If he can have some luck from an awkward draw, Controlthewitness would appear my best chance," Lees said.
"He is fitter for three runs back, whilst the other pair have had only run each this time in work."
Dundee Lee (Gibbons) rounds out Lees' representatives, in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) against her own sex, and her trainer says she has been freshened and is capable of running well from a favorable draw.
