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Mugatoo’s Rosehill Gardens performance tomorrow will give Kris Lees a clearer picture about the exciting import’s immediate spring program.
But he is thinking a path toward the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 3 is perhaps more likely than another Group 1, the shorter 1600m Epsom Handicap, on the same program.
In latest TAB futures markets, the gelding is $8 co-favorite with Master Of Wine and Verry Elleegant for The Metropolitan, and a $26 Epsom chance.
Mugatoo (Kerrin McEvoy), a brilliant first-up winner of the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on July 25 for currently suspended Hugh Bowman, is all the rage for tomorrow's Group 3 Premiers Cup (1900m), in which Lees also will run Mustajeer (James McDonald) and Frankely Awesome (Jason Collett).
"I'm not really sure which way we will head, but it's probably toward the Metrop," Lees said this morning.
"Mugatoo has to show that he will run the 2400m, but I feel he will considering he ran second to Young Rascal, even though he was in receipt of 5kg from the winner, in the Manion Cup over that distance at Rosehill in March before finding the rise to weight-for-age just beyond him at that stage in the Tancred Stakes when I backed him up a week later.
"He is in great order and has had a nice trial (which he won over 1200m at Gosford on August 12) since winning the Winter Challenge.
"I can't see him not running well again tomorrow.
"After the Premiers Cup, he will probably go to the Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on September 19, but the Newcastle Cup (2300m) a day earlier is a possibility."
Lees is delighted with the progress of both Mustajeer , who begins a new campaign, and McKell Cup winner Frankely Awesome.
His fourth Premiers Cup acceptor Aliferous is third emergency, and has been sent north to contest the Open Handicap (1825m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow.
"Mustajeer is a very good horse, but isn't quite as forward at this stage as he was when he won the Parramatta Cup (with 60.5kg) over tomorrow's distance when resuming in February," Lees said.
"Nonetheless, I expect him to run very well and he will go to the Kingston Town next.
"Frankely Awesome freshened up nicely and also is going well.
"I just hope the track doesn't become too firm for her tomorrow."
Stablemate Korcho attempts a hat-trick of Rosehill victories in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m), and apprentice Louise Day's 3kg claim will help offset his 62kg topweight.
Lees bypassed last Sunday's Taree Cup (2000m) with him in favour of this assignment.
"Korcho is going to need a bit of luck from an awkward draw, but is going well," Lees said.
"It's one race at a time with him."
As well as having three representatives in the Premiers Cup, Lees also has a trio of runners in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).
They are Wandabaa (Louise Day), Animate (Andrew Gibbons) and a newcomer to his stable, Safado (Jason Collett).
"Wandabaa is a quality mare putting together an excellent record, and you can't fault her form," Lees said.
"She has won at Rosehill, and I'm sure she will run well again.
"I'm pleased with how Animate is progressing for his resumption. The 1200m might be a shade short, but he kept improving last preparation and is in good shape for tomorrow.
"We will ride him conservatively to get every chance to hit the line well.
"The same with Safado, who hasn't raced since January. He has drawn the outside in a field of 14 and will go back."
