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Talented Laura Lafferty assign to ride Think Free at Warwick Farm

3 minute read

Kris Lees has called on talented Victorian apprentice Laura Lafferty for a Warwick Farm essay at Monday’s public holiday meeting.

Jockey LAURA LAFFERTY
Jockey LAURA LAFFERTY  Picture: Racing Photos

He has booked the Warrnambool-based rider to lessen Think Free 's 62kg by 3kg in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

Lafferty, last season's Victorian Country Apprentice Of The Year, is currently on loan to Randwick trainer John O'Shea.

Lees is prepared to overlook Think Free's latest 11th (beaten four and a half lengths) to all the way winner Madam Legend in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at the Newcastle Cup meeting on September 17.

"She drew awkwardly and was forced to race wide," he said.

"In the circumstances, her run was better than it might read and Monday's race is obviously a drop in class."

Two starts before the Tibbie, Think Free was nosed out by Vitesse in a tense finish to a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) for fillies and mares at Royal Randwick on heavy ground in mid-July.

Lees also runs Hammoon Star (1100m Benchmark 68 Handicap) and Special Reward and Enchanted Heart, who both begin new campaigns in the Open Handicap (1000m).

Kerrin McEvoy rides Hammoon Star , Hugh Bowman partners Special Reward  (who races without winkers) and Nash Rawiller is on Enchanted Heart.

"Hammoon Star has been in great form on country tracks winning two of her three starts this time in work," Lees said.

"She deserves her chance to make her mark in town.

"Special Reward and Enchanted Heart will appreciate something longer than 1000m, but it's a nice starting point.

"If there is a decent tempo, I'll be looking to see them finish off nicely."

The stablemates contested separate 1000m trials at Scone on September 15. Special Reward won his heat in 61.58secs on soft ground, whilst Enchanted Heart ran second to last Sunday's Bathurst winner and The Kosciuszko runner Spiranac in 61.01s.

. Lees will have two runners at tomorrow's Doomben meeting.

Spanish Point (Ryan Maloney) contests the Benchmark 80 Handicap (2030m), and Tavisan (Andrew Mallyon) lines up in the Open Handicap (1050m).

Maloney combined with Spanish Point to overcome the outside barrier (12) to land a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) at the Gold Coast on September 18.

It was the Frankel seven-year-old's second win from his last three Queensland starts.

"Spanish Point is going well," Lees said. "He goes up 1.5kg but has an inside draw this time with the rail out 4.5m.

"Tavisan found the 900m too short at the same Gold Coast meeting after scoring first-up for us over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on August 22.

"He is nicely drawn tomorrow, and can definitely improve."


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