WEEKEND star James McDonald will be a new rider for highly-credentialled import Adelaide River, a member of a four-strong Q22 team for Kris Lees at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
McDonald rode a “fab five” winners at yesterday’s Queensland Oaks meeting at that track, and the leading Newcastle trainer has confirmed his booking for the former Irish stayer in the $1.2m feature at the Stradbroke Handicap meeting, where he will also have a runner in the highlight race.
Lees intends starting Adelaide River, Cleveland, Luncies and last year’s Queensland Oaks winner Amokura in the Q2 (2200m), which will be run at weight-for-age.
Along with McDonald, Lees has booked Melbourne ace Mark Zahra for Amokura.
Triple Group 1 placegetter Adelaide River made an inauspicious Australian debut (but with an excuse) when ninth to Just Folk in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm a week ago.
“The hose pulled up with cardiac arrythmia, but has since been cleared by Racing Queensland stewards to continue his winter carnival campaign,” Lees said.
“This will most likely be his last run before we look ahead to the spring.”
Adelaide River, a four-year-old son of Australia, has raced only 10 times for two wins and five placings.
After being runner-up in both the Group 1 Irish Derby (2414m) at The Curragh and GP De Paris (2400m) at Longchamps last July, he won the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes (2414m) at Leopardstown in September before coming to Australia.
Cleveland also resumed in the Lord Mayor’s Cup and was never in contention at his first start since winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) in late October.
An elevated temperature forced his subsequent withdrawal on race eve from the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in early November.
Luncies ran well when fifth in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at his second Brisbane start this campaign, whilst Amokura ran ninth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 25.
Whilst Lees has a big contingent heading to the Q22, Dream Hour will be his lone representative in the $3m Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m).
The former Victorian clinched a “free ticket” by brilliantly winning the $300,000 The Gateway over the same distance at Eagle Farm last December.
Australian Bloodstock principal Jamie Lovett has confirmed the four-year-old’s appearance in the rich sprint, with Brisbane jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor booked for the ride.
Dream Hour’s Gateway triumph gave connections the option to run the gelding in the Stradbroke, or arrange a deal with connections of another horse ranked in the “Top 40” in the race.
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Lees’ 17th Group 1 winner Kalapour has been invited to run in the Japan Cup (2400m) in November.
Kalapour earned the invitation when successful in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens in March.
Whilst the seven-year-old gelding is in light work, Lees said it was unlikely the Japan invite would be taken up.
Story John Curtis, June 9, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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