FORD GETS MILLENNIUM CHANCE ON WHERE’S THE CIRCUS

KEMBLA Grange trainer Paul Murray is leaving nothing to chance in his bid to land next month’s $2m Inglis Millennium at Royal Randwick.

With jockey Jean Van Overmeire on the injured list, the Kembla Grange trainer has called on Jay Ford to replace him on talented filly Where’s The Circus in the 1100m feature for two-year-olds who are eligible Inglis graduates.

Where’s The Circus, who cost only $1250, made a stunning debut when she led throughout in the $400,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick on December 13.

“Unfortunately for Jean, he broke a foot in a motor bike accident the day before Christmas,” Murray said today.

“We have been holding off hoping he could stay with the filly in the Millennium, but he advised us earlier in the week that the injury isn’t healing as well as he had hoped.

“Jay was prepared to come down and ride Where’s The Circus in an exhibition gallop between races at home yesterday even though he didn’t have rides at the meeting.

“The filly went really well, and Jay was quite impressed with her.

“I’m going to give her another gallop between races at Kembla Grange on Wednesday, and Jay is looking forward to getting another feel of her en route to the Millennium.”

Meanwhile, Zaphod is nearly an “adopted Queenslander”, so Kris Lees has decided to keep him in the Sunshine State.

Rather than return to Newcastle, last start winner Zaphod will chase another victory over the border at the Gold Coast tonight instead of lining up at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

The decision was made easy when Zaphod drew the outside barrier in a field of 11 in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (2000m) at Randwick.

“He was at our Gold Coast base, so it made sense to leave him there and run tonight in the Gold Coast Mayor’s Vase (2050m), and Andrew Mallyon rides him,” Lees said this morning.

“Zaphod has trained on well since winning a Class 6 Handicap (1825m) at Eagle Farm on December 27.”

That was the import’s fourth Australian victory since being purchased by Australian Bloodstock – and three of them have been in Queensland.

Lees had three acceptors in the Benchmark 88 at Randwick tomorrow, but will have only one representative.

He has decided to start dual venue acceptor Oakfield Hawk at Canterbury tonight, leaving Rogue Bear (Dylan Gibbons) as his lone representative.

Rogue Bear won the Cairns Cup (2100m) last August during an extended Queensland stay, and has had one run back since returning to his Newcastle stable.

“He will take further benefit from tomorrow’s assignment, but is always a chance in these types of races,” Lees said.

Tom Sherry will ride Oakfield Hawk at Canterbury this evening in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1900m) at his third run back from a spell.

“He may just need this one more run, but I’m expecting him to race well just the same,” Lees said.

Apprentice Will Stanley takes 3kg off stablemate Valimi in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1550m) at Canterbury.

“Valimi has had the one back in Saturday company at Randwick, and is dropping back a little in grade,” Lees said.

“Having drawn the inside, he is not without some chance second up.”

Meanwhile, Lees is sending apprentice Ben Osmond to Queensland tomorrow to ride Power Of The Brave in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) at the metropolitan meeting at the Sunshine Coast.

“It looks a really suitable race,” Lees said. “Power Of The Brave has done well since winning at Randwick on Boxing Day, and has drawn nicely.”

Enterprise Private (Daniel Moor) is Lees’ other Sunshine Coast runner, in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2200m).

The Mission five-year-old has won three of his last five starts, and is chasing a hat-trick after scoring at Murwillumbah (2020m) on December 29 and Doomben (2200m) on January 14.

“Enterprise Private has come back really well this campaign, and there’s no reason why he won’t be very competitive again,” Lees said.

It’s Legends Day at Newcastle tomorrow, and Lees has Oakfield Duke (Aaron Bullock) lining up in the race named after him; the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m).

Oakfield Duke has a brilliant record on the course proper; his three starts producing two wins and a second, and any further rain would enhance his prospects.

Hawker Hall and You Wahng have returned from the Magic Millions meetings at the Gold Coast for short breaks.

“Hawker Hall was brilliant in leading all the way there last Saturday,” Lees said. “I’m not sure where we will head with him next.

“You Wahng did well to finish second in the 2200m Subzero. We’ll get her ready for the back end of the autumn, and then go back to Queensland for the winter.”

Lees has just brought Lucia Valentina’s foal Erin Jo back into work.

“She had a short break after breaking through at Warwick Farm on January 7 at her third start,” he said.

“Same with her; the back end of the Sydney autumn and then to Brisbane for the winter.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 23, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS