KRIS Lees has named Imposant the best of his five runners at Royal Randwick tomorrow.
And a victory in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) would be welcome as she has been runner-up at her last three starts; the last two since resuming from a spell.
The four-year-old daughter of Epaulette, who races in the Le Romain colours, has been lightly raced and is seeking a city breakthrough.
“Imposant’s two runs back this time at Randwick and Wyong have been excellent,” Lees said.
“The inside barrier tomorrow is a real advantage, especially as the rail is out 7m.
“Imposant drew the outside when narrowly beaten in a similar race at the metropolitan meeting at Wyong a fortnight ago.
“Chad Schofield rides and will give her every chance, and be very strong late.”
Four withdrawals already from Imposant’s race have reduced the field to 10.
Lees has sorted out weekend plans for his three two-State acceptors.
Debutante Newy and French import Valimi will line up at the Sunshine Coast metropolitan meeting on Saturday rather than Royal Randwick the same day, whilst Almania will run at the latter instead of the Gold Coast program under lights tonight.
These are the leading Newcastle trainer’s thoughts on his other Randwick representatives:
. ODAKA (2YO Handicap, 1000m: Chad Schofield): Has won both her trials, and is a really nice filly who we have a bit of time for. She hasn’t furnished properly yet, but has done well enough in her trials and work to be competitive even though it’s hard to line the form up.
. ALMANIA (Benchmark 88 Handicap, 2000m: Ben Osmond): Very pleased with his first-up run in The Lakes at Wyong a fortnight ago, and not badly placed here after Ben’s claim. He might just take one more run after a long lay-off. ZAPHOD (Jason Collett): Got cluttered up at a vital stage at his last run at Wyong, but still expected him to finish off better. Have kept him fresh coming back slightly in distance, but needs some rain to help his prospects.
. HELLAVADANCER (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m: Ben Osmond): Coming up nicely but may just take a run. She is another who prefers the cut out of the ground.
Lees will have four runners at the Sunshine Coast – Newy (2YO Handicap, 1000m), Valimi (Class 3 Plate, 1600m), Inver Park (Listed Sunshine Coast Cup, 1400m), and new acquisition Ezekeil (Class 6 Plate, 1200m.
Andrew Mallyon will ride all four horses.
“Newy is definitely a preparation away, but has shown enough at home to make her presence felt in that type of grade,” Lees said.
“Valimi has taken longer to settle in than I would have liked, but his closing sectionals last time in an unsuitable 1350m at Wyong were good. He looks very well placed in a Class 3 Plate getting up to 1600m, and that’s the reason I have sent him to Queensland.
“Inver Park is two from two at the track, so that is in his favour. Obviously he steps up in grade, but has a nice draw and I’m sure he will be competitive.
“Ezekeil is having his first start for us. He has settled in well and is definitely capable of running a good race.”
Rogue Bear (Sam Collett) and The Bopper (Mallyon) represent the stable at tonight’s Goldmarket meeting at the Gold Coast.
Rogue Bear contests the Gold Coast Mayor’s Vase (2050m), and The Bopper lines up in the feature, the Listed Goldmarket (1100m).
“Rogue Bear is backing up from the Ballina Cup (1590m) a week ago, and will be better suited over this longer distance,” Lees said.
“The Bopper has had two runs back in Sydney, and the 1100m looks more suitable than the 1200m last time at Randwick.
“He’s a stable favorite, and drops in weight on those last two runs. He is certainly capable of running well.”
. Talented Brazilian jockey Jose Severo’s local career took another important step forward at his first ride at headquarters last Wednesday when he won his second city race on pregnant mare So Newchee Thinks, on the inside Kensington track.
So Newchee Thinks ($7.50) stormed between runners from last to decisively take the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m).
The mare, who is in foal to Starspangledbanner, will have one more run in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m) chasing a city hat-trick at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week before being retired, whilst Severo, who also won on stablemate She’s Got Teeth at Port Macquarie last Sunday, has ridden nine winners in the three months he has been competing in New South Wales.
Story John Curtis, January 24, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos
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