3 minute read
Kris Lees has taken different approaches with stablemates Special Reward and Tactical Advantage as he seeks a backdoor Magic Millions entry for either at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The pair contest the $150,000 Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m), with the winner gaining a wildcard into the Magic Millions Snippets (1200m) at the rich meeting at the Gold Coast on January 16.
"They're both eligible to run in the MM Snippets, and deserve their chances to earn a spot in the field, especially being a $1m race," Lees said this morning.
"I sent Tactical Advantage to our Gold Coast base a week ago to get him settled in and he has done that.
"But I held Special Reward back to trial him at Scone last Monday week (he comfortably beat three rivals in a 1000m heat) and work him at home.
"He travelled overnight to Queensland and arrived this morning in good order.
"We're in a fortunate position in regards to Eagle Farm on Saturday as one (Special Reward) goes forward and the other (Tactical Advantage) goes back.
"I feel both horses can run well, but have a slight leaning to Special Reward.
"He ran a great race when runner-up to Sweet Deal in the $1m The Hunter (1300m) at Newcastle on November 14, and has trialled and worked well since.
"Tactical Advantage has turned his form around this preparation.
"He wasn't far away when fourth in The Hunter and closed nicely when third to Athiri in the Razor Sharp (1200m) at Randwick on December 12."
Lees' Queensland jockey Andrew Mallyon partners Special Reward, and Larry Cassidy is on Tactical Advantage.
Eagle Farm was rated a "Soft 5" this morning, and Sydney sprinter Hightail has been withdrawn from the Falvelon, reducing the field to 11.
. Lees has three representatives at Saturday's Boxing Day fixture at Royal Randwick.
Korcho (Hugh Bowman) and High Opinion (Tommy Berry) contest the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1600m, and Juventus (Bowman) lines up for his third start this campaign in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).
"Korcho is a nice stayer resuming, and this is short of his best distance," Lees said.
"But he is definitely capable of surprising, and any further rain would enhance his prospects.
"We are trying to lift his Benchmark rating so that he can run in better staying events come autumn.
"High Opinion is also resuming, and will most likely need the outing."
Juventus has been placed at both starts since resuming, the latest when runner-up to I Am Vinnie in a similar race over the same course on December 12.
"Juventus has drawn awkwardly on Saturday whereas he drew well a fortnight ago and now has an extra 0.5kg," Lees said.
"He is going well and we will ride him off the pace this time."
. Lees has several runners at the Boxing Day meeting at home, but Endorphins is out of the F&M Maiden Plate (1350m), where she drew the outside alley.
Christian Reith rides Lumber Dream (CG&E Maiden Plate, 1350m), apprentice Dylan Gibbons is booked for Honored Vow in the Maiden Plate (1850m) where stablemate Ruger Rose is third emergency, and Andrew Gibbons rides Azarmin in the F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).
"Lumber Dream ran well on debut and has come on since," Lees said. "He will be better when he gets to 1600m, but is a place possibility on Saturday.
"Honored Vow has been looking for this trip, and has the inside barrier and Dylan's 3kg claim.
"We'll find out on Saturday if she measures up to provincial grade at this stage.
"Azarmin is resuming and the 1350m is a bit short of her best. But she is coming up well and looks set for a nice preparation."
. Tuesday's Gosford meeting features the Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) and Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) – and Lees will be represented in each.
Hugh Bowman rides Asharani in the Belle of the Turf, and Robbie Dolan partners Redoute's Image in the Guineas.
