3 minute read
Kris Lees has named Intrinsic as his best value chance at tomorrow's Eagle Farm meeting.
Lees has four representatives in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1300m) for fillies and mares, the others being topweight Star Reflection, Bellaria and Tycoon Street.
Apprentice Justin Huxtable takes 2kg off topweight and recent Gold Coast winner Star Reflection's 62kg, Ryan Wiggins rides Bellaria and James Orman partners Tycoon Street.
Lees' Queensland stable rider Andrew Mallyon has the mount on Intrinsic , who wasn't beaten far by Star Reflection in a Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m) at the Gold Coast metropolitan meeting on May 29.
She meets Star Reflection only 0.5kg better, but Lees feels the barrier draw points to Intrinsic turning the tables.
"Star Reflection has been a ripper mare for the stable (winning eight races and placing 18 times for prizemoney beyond $450,000) and always gives her all," he said today.
"But Intrinsic has drawn the inside gate tomorrow with the rail out varying distances, whereas Star Reflection has drawn barrier 10.
"I have to lean toward Intrinsic as a result, and she won't be worried at all if expected rain arrives.
"Intrinsic ran fourth in last year's Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton."
Lees opted to run much-travelled mare Delectation Girl (Mallyon) in the Group 3 Eagle Farm Mile.
He also nominated her for the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) for fillies and mares.
"I feel the 1600m suits her better than 1400m, especially at this stage of her preparation," he explained.
"With only 54kg, she can run well."
Lees' other Eagle Farm runner is Tawfiq Boy (Mallyon) in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1300m), but he concedes the gelding needs the forecast rain to arrive to show his best form.
. Lees also has four runners in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow, where a "Heavy 9" rating has been posted.
His representatives are Articus (Nash Rawiller), Mongolian Wolf (apprentice Chris Williams), Frankely Awesome (Jason Collett) and Attention Run (Andrew Adkins).
"I feel Articus is probably the best of our four," Lees said. "He is awkwardly drawn, but is racing well and won't mind the ground.
"Attention Run is resuming, Mongolian Wolf is back from a Queensland campaign, and tomorrow's race will determine if Frankely Awesome still has a desire for racing."
Lees has decided to take blinkers off Stella Sea Sun (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m) but indicated he is likely to wait for another week before taking her back to the races.
Recent Newcastle first-up winner Meadow Land (Rawiller) makes his city debut in the 2YO Handicap (1100m), and his prospects have been enhanced by the withdrawal of early favorite Andermatt.
"Meadow Land has trained on well since his 900m Maiden victory on May 26," Lees said.
"It's obviously a jump in grade going to a Saturday race in town, but he is a nice colt who continues to improve and has drawn nicely."
