3 minute read
Kris Lees has kept Iconic Star in Melbourne to chase an interstate double at “home” at Caulfield tomorrow.
The pacy three-year-old, who has a 50 per cent win record (six from 12 starts) lines up in the 3YO Handicap (1000m), with Damien Oliver again in the saddle.
Lees found a suitable race for Iconic Star, being a Super VOBIS filly, at Moonee Valley a fortnight ago – and she didn't let him down.
The one surprise was her SP ($8.50) when she took a similar race against her own age and sex over 1000m, having dropped 3.5kg from her previous run when she competed against older horses in a Benchmark 70 Handicap (1100m) on the Kensington track on April 15, followed by an 800m barrier trial success at Gosford on May 5.
Iconic Star ended the previously unbeaten run of Ms Catherine at Moonee Valley and meets her again tomorrow, though this time the Melbourne filly has 2.5kg the better of weights.
"Iconic Star has been stabled at Caulfield during her Melbourne stay, and has done well since her Moonee Valley win," Lees said this morning.
"She is in good order and is nicely drawn. Hopefully going up 5.5kg won't be enough to stop her from doing the job again."
Iconic Star's stablemate Wandabaa, another three-year-old filly with an impressive record (six wins from 11 starts), has gone to Queensland to attempt to continue extending her picket fence (she is chasing four wins in a row) at Doomben tomorrow.
Lees has taken advantage of apprentice Corey Bayliss' 3kg claim to offset Wandabaa's 61kg topweight in the 3YO Handicap )1350m).
He also runs Snowzone (Andrew Mallyon), but rates Wandabaa his best chance with a far better draw.
"Wandabaa is in great form, handles the soft ground and should get a nice run from an inside barrier," Lees said.
"Snowzone is going to need some luck from where he is drawn."
Lees considers his mares Star Reflection (Listed Spear Chief Handicap, 1350m) and much-travelled Delectation Girl (Group 3 Sapphire Stakes, 1630m) both are definite prospects.
"Star Reflection is tough and ran really well with a big weight at Eagle Farm last start," he said.
"She goes to open company, but comes down 6kg.
"Delectation Girl was never a winning chance on a firm track at Eagle Farm last time although she wasn't beaten far, and the softer surface at Doomben is going to suit her much better.
"From a good draw, she can be very competitive."
. Lees has two acceptors at his home track meeting tomorrow, but the barrier gods haven't been kind to him.
As a result, Sorrentina is a doubtful runner in the Class 2 Handicap (1400m), but Cullingworth (Andrew Gibbons) will line up in the Conditional Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m), though his trainer says he has the job ahead to figure from an outside alley.
