KRIS Lees says unraced filly Wollzeile has improved since her Wyong trial ahead of her $250,000 The Debut assignment at the Gold Coast tonight.
The cleverly-named Tassort two-year-old, to be ridden by Kyle Wilson-Taylor, lines up against nine other debutantes in the 1000m event – all seeking to clinch a berth in the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) there on January 11.
The leading Newcastle trainer, however, isn’t thinking that far ahead just yet.
“Our focus is on tonight’s race,” Lees said on Friday morning.
“Wollzeile beat five rivals in her Wyong 845m trial win on November 26, and has improved since.
“But she needs to as this is a race for first starters, who have all won trials and it’s hard to line them up.
“Wollzeile has settled in well since arriving at our Gold Coast base, and at least has the advantage of an inside draw.”
A $180,000 purchase at the Magic Millions yearling sale at the Gold Coast in January, Wollzeile is a daughter of the unraced Snitzel mare Figlmuller.
The Figlmuller Wollzeile restaurant in Vienna is the home of the city’s most famous Wiener Schnitzel.
The Gold Coast meeting is the first under lights at the track, and Lees also runs Crickets Chirping (Benchmark 62 Handicap, 1000m) and Lord Of Biscay (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1400m).
Andrew Mallyon rides the stablemates.
“Crickets Chirping was luckless first-up at the Sunshine Coast and has drawn nicely, and dual venue acceptor Lord Of Biscay will definitely run at the Gold Coast.
“Lord Of Biscay has taken improvement from his first-up run at the metropolitan meeting at Kembla Grange on November 23, and should get a nice run from a favorable draw.”
Viaconi (apprentice Ben Osmond) is the stable’s sole representative at tonight’s corresponding Canterbury fixture.
“Viaconi is resuming and was narrowly beaten on debut at Canterbury 12 months ago,” Lees said.
“He has had two trials to help get him ready and should run well.”
Lees will wait until Saturday morning before deciding whether Newcastle debut winner Wisnierska lines up at Royal Randwick tomorrow in the 2YO Plate (1000m).
“Wisnierska has done well since winning at home over 900m earlier in the month, but has drawn a bit awkwardly,” he said.
“There’s another race for her next week if we don’t run tomorrow.”
The Bopper (Osmond) is back in action in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1100m), and Valimi (Tommy Berry) and Little Beginnings (Osmond) both contest the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).
“The Bopper got a little virus after he resumed at Warwick Farm in early October, and won a trial on the Beaumont track on December 4,” Lees said.
“Obviously he will take improvement from this run, but has won twice at Randwick and Ben’s 3kg claim brings him in nicely.
“Valimi was a bit of a handful and was gelded after we got him from France.
“He is a nice horse who has been lightly-raced, and will be better for this experience.
“Little Beginnings finished fourth of five on a heavy track at Rosehill Gardens at his last start, and I’m prepared to give him another chance in town on a Saturday.”
. Zaphod (Mallyon) and Inver Park (apprentice Bailey Wheeler) represent the stable at Eagle Farm tomorrow in the Class 3 Plate (1820m) and Benchmark 85 Handicap (1400m) respectively.
“Zaphod looks really well placed, and has the inside barrier at the 1820m start, which is always helpful,” Lees said.
“He ran great first-up from an awkward draw when runner-up at Rosehill, and should be hard to beat.
“The wetter the better for Inver Park. He loved the heavy two starts back when he won at the Sunshine Coast, and his latest unplaced run in Listed grade at Eagle Farm can be overlooked.”
Story John Curtis, December 20, 2021
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