*UPDATE Spangler & Acquitted will b both start in tomorrow's 1500m BM88 at Hawkesbury, along with stablemate Rogue Bear*
LOCH Eagle will definitely line up in tomorrow’s Tamworth Cup (1400m), Acquitted won’t, and a decision on a start for Spangler has been delayed until the morning.
That was the update late this afternoon from Kris Lees in regard to his three acceptors for tomorrow’s $200,000 country feature, which carries eligibility for the $2m The Big Dance at Royal Randwick in November (he landed last year’s inaugural running with Rustic Steel).
Star apprentice Dylan Gibbons will partner Loch Eagle as Lees seeks a second Tamworth Cup, having won the race nine years ago with Pitt Street.
Loch Eagle last raced when runner-up to Spangler in the $500,000 Provincial-Midway Championship Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 8 on Day 2 of The Championships, after impressively winning the Newcastle Wildcard (1400m) on March 30.
Although beaten clearly in the Final, his run was excellent, influencing his trainer to look ahead to the Tamworth Cup, where he finished third last year with Provincial-Midway Final winner Kinloch (to Bandersnatch).
“I’m very happy with Loch Eagle,” Lees said this afternoon. “He has done really well since the Randwick race and comes in on the minimum weight (54kg).
“It’s a very open affair, but I’m expecting him to run well again.”
Lees has deferred a decision on a Cup start for Spangler until just before the 7.30 scratching deadline in the morning.
“I want to check the track condition before making up my mind,” he explained.
“I wouldn’t be keen to run him if it’s firm going.”’
Tamworth today was rated a ‘Soft 5”, and Spangler bolted away with the Provincial-Midway Final on a “Heavy 8” after a brilliant James McDonald ride.
Andrew Gibbons has been booked for Spangler, who is also an acceptor for the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1500m) at Hawkesbury’s stand-alone meeting on Saturday, and the Class 6 Plate (1615m) at the corresponding Doomben meeting.
He has already been withdrawn from Doomben, so it’s either Tamworth or Hawkesbury, where McDonald is again booked.
With Acquitted a Tamworth absentee, he will go to Hawkesbury to line up in that Benchmark 88, but Lees is yet to confirm a rider.
“I have held off until we make a decision about where Spangler runs,” he explained.
Lees accepted with Acquitted, Spangler, Loch Eagle (who of course won’t run) and Rogue Bear (Dylan Gibbons) for the Benchmark 88.
The latter is a UK import, who made his Australian debut when a close fifth to Mystery Shot in a similar race over 1400m at Hawkesbury on April 5.
“Rogue Bear ran well at Hawkesbury, and comes down 2.5kg with Dylan’s claim,” Lees said.
Acquitted was a race morning withdrawal from the Provincial-Midway Championship Final, but recovered quickly and is ready to continue his current campaign at the weekend.
He impressively won the Wyong Qualifier (1350m) on March 25, and is very adept on heavy ground should Hawkesbury get more rain.
*Words John Curtis April 20 - Pics Bradley Photos*
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