J-MAC BOOKED TO “READ” THE RIGHT PLAY

KRIS Lees is banking on James McDonald “reading” the right play on Kind Words at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Sydney’s champion jockey will ride the talented mare, an unlucky fourth from a horror outside barrier in last year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm, for the first time in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m).

The four-year-old has won only two of her 18 starts, but was runner-up in last November’s Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at home, and also placed in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) at the Sunshine Coast last May before she tackled the Oaks.

Lees’ stable spokesman Danny Greer says Kind Words is ready following two excellent performances this campaign.

She followed a strong first-up third to Matcha Latte in a Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m) at home on March 20 with another good showing when sixth to that horse in the $1m Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 12.

Without always getting clear room in the straight, she was warming up nicely at the end, and now goes to a more suitable 1600m.

“Unfortunately Kind Words hasn’t drawn well, but we’re hoping J-Mac can get her over with some cover,” Greer said.

“If she gets the right run, there is no doubt she will be strong at the finish.

“Kind Words is ready now to show her ability at 1600m and beyond.”

Kind Words is one of six Lees’ representatives at Randwick’s fourth consecutive Saturday meeting, prior to the stand-alone programs at Hawkesbury, Gosford and Scone.

Gobi Desert (Chad Schofield), who won the Max Lees Classic (900m) on debut at home last November, resumes in the 2YO Handicap (1100m).

“It looks a pretty hot race, but she showed in winning the Max Lees Classic that she is up to the grade,” Greer said.

“Gobi Desert has had a couple of nice trials and is ready to run well.”

Almania (Nash Rawiller) and Zaphod (Dylan Gibbons) both line up in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1800m).

“Kris has taken blinkers off Almania,” Greer said.

“He was plain last time over 1600m at Hawkesbury, but is more efficient around 1800m to 2000m.

“Zaphod has been freshened since finishing third over 2000m at Randwick in late January.

“He is a nice horse who has been trialling really well, has won two of his three first-up outings and can run well here.”

Memoria (apprentice Ben Osmond) and Powerful Peg (McDonald) also will oppose each other, in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) against their own sex.

“Memoria is an on-pace mare who is in good form this campaign,” Greer said.

“She has drawn awkwardly, but cannot be overlooked provided she can overcome the awkward draw.

“Powerful Peg is resuming, and has the rails and James McDonald to ride.

“Kris withdrew her from a race on the Kensington track tomorrow where she had a big weight.

“She easily won a trial on the Beaumont track last week, and has raced well on resumption in the past.”

Bestower (Jason Collett) is the stable’s sole runner at the Anzac Day meeting on the Kensington circuit.

After two runs over shorter trips, she steps up to a more suitable 1800m of the Benchmark 78 Handicap.

“Bestower has been improved by those two runs back,” Greer said.

“Going on her form last preparation when she was runner-up twice in town, there’s no reason why she can’t be competitive.

“Jason rode her last time when she drew awkwardly at Hawkesbury and came from well back, and was keen to stick with her.”

. Etude (Listed Mick Dittman Plate, 1000m) and Miss Busslinger (Listed Princess Stakes, 1600m) are acceptors for Eagle Farm on Saturday, but both not certain yet to run.

Etude, placed at all three starts this preparation, has drawn the outside, whilst Miss Busslinger, a gutsy third a week ago in the Listed Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm, also has drawn poorly.

“Kris hasn’t decided whether to back up Miss Busslinger,” Greer said. “There’s another option with her next week if she doesn’t run on Saturday.”

. Meanwhile, fellow Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer is hoping for a few scratchings to get his mare Rapt into the Benchmark 100 Handicap (1500m) field at Randwick on Saturday.

Dylan Gibbons has been booked for the mare, but she is fourth emergency in a capacity field of 15 with the rail out varying distances between seven and nine metres.

Deamer has been pleased with Rapt’s progress since her excellent seventh to Matcha Latte in the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick a fortnight ago.

“They were just too quick for her at the 1400m,” he said today.

“There are a couple of acceptors without declared jockeys for Saturday’s race, so hopefully we might make it.”

Rapt’s stablemate Jack Duggan is a dual State acceptor, and connections on Thursday were leaning toward sending him north to run at Eagle Farm on Saturday in a Benchmark 80 Handicap (2400m), with today’s Tamworth Cup winning rider Kyle Wilson-Taylor booked.

“Jack Duggan has been up for a long time but loves stable life,” Deamer said.

“I don’t do a lot with him between runs, unlike a normal stayer.

“He is racing well and wasn’t far away a fortnight ago at Doomben when fifth to Philipsburg (who confirmed the form by scoring again at Eagle Farm last Saturday).”

Deamer scored with Jumeirah Beach ($8.50) at that Doomben meeting, and then added a Port Macquarie double last Saturday to boost his season’s tally to 17.

Story John Curtis, April 24, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos