COLLETT BACK ON RIVELLINO FOR ROSEHILL RETURN

Rivellino ran home stylishly to finish third to last year’s Newcastle The Hunter winner and current $20m The Everest third favorite Briasa in a 900m Group heat on a heavy track.

“Very happy with his trial,” Lees said this morning. “He is ready to go back to the races.”

Lees has withdrawn Cleveland from tomorrow’s Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.

“I didn’t want to resume him on a heavy track,” he said. “We will wait for another day.”

Lees’ other Randwick acceptor is Imposant (Jay Ford) in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m), but he has delayed a decision on a start for the mare.

“I’ll see what the scratchings are in the morning,” he said. “If there are a few, I will probably run her as it is a black type race.”

Imposant ran third to Matcha Latte and her stablemate Lord Of Biscay in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick in April, and has trialled twice in preparation for her resumption.

She was runner-up twice at both starts on heavy tracks, though in restricted company earlier in her career.

Lees will run both last start winners Bengal Boy (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 2206m) and Barazin (Benchmark 85 Handicap, 1835m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow, and stable apprentice Ben Osmond goes north to ride the pair.

“Both horses are racing well,” Lees said.

“Bengal Boy has drawn awkwardly compared to a softer draw when he won at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago.

“Still Ben’s 2kg claim will help and if he can get a decent run, I’m sure he will be very competitive again.

“Barazin won at the Coffs Harbour Cup meeting earlier in the month, and he has drawn well and Ben’s claim also will help his chances.”

Lees has three acceptors at his home track meeting tomorrow, but Surreal I Am may miss the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) because of the heavy track.

Oakfield Duke (Aaron Bullock) and Thundering Soul (Andrew Gibbons) contest the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m), with blinkers going back on the former.

. Brudenell has returned home after his disappointing seventh to Pop Award in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

“It was a totally out of character run,” Lees said. “We can’t find anything amiss with him.”

Story John Curtis, August 22, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos