SHE has won second-up before, is a three-times distance winner and back against her own sex, and has the rails barrier.
That’s why four-year-old mare Hellavadancer has a great chance of breaking her Sydney “duck” and adding to her record, at Royal Randwick tomorrow.
Adam Hyeronimus will ride the Australian Bloodstock-raced daughter of Hellbent for leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).
Hellavadancer has won five races – three of them in Brisbane – but is yet to win in Sydney, although she has been placed on a couple of occasions.
“Her first-up run when fourth to Kabou (beaten only a length) over 1200m at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight ago was very good,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said on Friday morning.
“She comes back to her own sex at a distance she is proven at, and came up with the inside barrier.
“Hellavadancer looks to be our best chance at the meeting.”
Before going for a break, Hellavadancer won twice at Eagle Farm over 1400m, and the likelihood of an improving track to a ‘Soft 7’ boosts her prospects.
Lees has five acceptors at Randwick, but UK import Lord Of Biscay’s Australian debut has been further delayed and he is an absentee from the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m), whilst fourth emergency Fulfilled needing a few more withdrawals to secure a start in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m).
“Fulfilled’s form is better than it perhaps looks, and blinkers will go on if he does get into the field,” Greer said.
Stable apprentice Ben Osmond, who rode his third city winner at Warwick Farm last Wednesday, has the mounts on Sailor (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1600m), and Memoria (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1000m).
He will be able to claim 2kg on Sailor, and 2.5kg on Memoria, lessening both their weights to 55kg.
“Sailor is coming off seconds at his last two city runs with a month in between in, and drops in weight going to Saturday grade,” Greer said.
“Memoria hasn’t raced since easily beating her own sex over 1200m at Gosford on April 10.
“She trialled nicely at Wyong on June 19, likes soft ground and has an excellent first-up record.”
Lees will run Rogue Bear at Doomben tomorrow, and has Luncies, Willinga Beast and Brudenell in postponed feature races from last weekend at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Andrew Mallyon rides Rogue Bear in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m), and blinkers come off.
“He went a bit too fierce when resuming at Doomben on June 12, and has been given time to get over that run,” Greer said.
“We’ll start to get him up over further ground after this race.”
The track condition at the Sunshine Coast will determine whether Luncies (Michael Rodd) lines up in Sunday’s Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m), or is held back for Thursday’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m).
A ‘Heavy 10’ rating remained this morning, whereas Grafton improved to a ‘Soft 7’ on Friday morning ahead of Sunday’s South Grafton Cup meeting.
“The track will certainly suit Willinga Beast (Ron Stewart), and hopefully she can finish her racing career on a winning note in the Glasshouse Handicap (1400m),” Greer said.
“Carrying only 53kg on the heavy ground gives her a terrific chance.
“Brudenell (Mallyon) is very well weighted under the set weights and penalties conditions of the Open Plate (1000m).
“He has a great winning record (nine from 18 starts) and, though drawn near the outside, it’s a smallish field and he has shown in the past that he has the ability to overcome this.
‘Kris also nominated him for the Sir James Kirby Quality (1000m) at Grafton on Thursday as a precaution.”
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Newcastle’s nine-race program begins at 11.25am, and the rail is in the TRUE position for the entire circuit.
After 66mm of rain in the past seven days, but nil in the previous 24 hours, a ‘Soft 7’ rating was posted at 9.40am on Friday.
This is the 15th annual Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation Pink Raceday, supported by Clubs In The Community.
Story John Curtis, July 13, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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