DUAL venue acceptor Ella Te Ama will run at Canterbury tomorrow night as Kris Lees strives to get her back into winning form.
Lees has decided to take the easier option with the mare by contesting a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m) rather than a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
And he has further boosted her prospects by taking advantage of stable apprentice Ben Osmond’s 3kg claim, lessening her weight to 58.5kg.
Ella Te Ama, the Provincial Summer Series Final (1600m) winner in December 2022, hasn’t won in 10 subsequent starts, but was runner-up twice at Royal Randwick and Eagle Farm.
Her two runs this time in – both at Saturday meetings – have been good, especially her latest fourth to Bootscooter in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1500m) against her own sex at Rosehill a fortnight ago when beaten only one and a half lengths.
“She is going well, and dropping back in grade gives her a real opportunity to get back into the winning list,” Lees said today.
“Ben is riding well, and is improving all the time.”
Lees is adopting a similar policy with another dual venue acceptor Bubba’s Bay, who also lines up at Canterbury and with Osmond claiming 3kg on her as well.
She contests the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) rather than a similar grade over 1200m for three and four-year-olds at Rosehill on Saturday.
“Bubba’s Bay hasn’t been beaten far in both runs this preparation, finishing fourth at Randwick on December 30 and then third to Our Kobison at Rosehill a fortnight ago,” Lees said.
“That’s good form for a Friday night Benchmark 72 at Canterbury.
“Both Ella Te Ama and Bubba’s Bay have drawn well.”
Lees also accepted with Oakfield Duke (Sam Clipperton) in Bubba’s Bay’s race at Canterbury, but the gelding is not a certain starter.
. Import Age Of Sail made a successful midweek Australian debut at Warwick Farm on January 10, and goes to the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
The five-year-old son on Frankel is chasing his fourth win on end, having backed up to score at Goodwood on June 9 last year a week after winning at Chepstow, both times over 2414m.
“Age Of Sail has come on really well since his Warwick Farm win,” Lees said.
“He is going to need a good ride from Nash (Rawiller) from a tricky draw, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the horse.
“I probably won’t push him too far this autumn, but feel he is capable of measuring up in a good race in spring.”
Lees also has Powerful Peg (Dylan Gibbons) and Convincebility (Osmond) running at Rosehill.
Powerful Peg contests the Vale Bill Camer Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m), and Convincebility the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) for three and four-year-olds.
Powerful Peg was an excellent first-up second in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on December 30 before going up in grade when favorite and fourth to Robusto in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill three weeks later.
“I feel they went a bit too quick for her last time, but she has trained on well and comes back to a Benchmark 78,” Lees said.
“There’s no reason why she shouldn’t be hard to beat.
“Convincebility is resuming and was in good form last preparation, but will take improvement from Saturday’s race.”
Story John Curtis, February 1, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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