KRIS Lees has opted to have a dual crack at Saturday’s $500,000 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Royal Randwick.
The leading Newcastle trainer had been considering splitting his stayers Kalapour and Cleveland between Sydney and Melbourne, but has withdrawn the former from the $300,000 Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield, where the winner gains exemption from ballot for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup over the same course a week later.
Kerrin McEvoy rode Kalapour in his third to Just Fine in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on September 30 and partners him again, whilst James McDonald is a new rider for Cleveland.
“I feel the St Leger is a slightly easier race than the Herbert Power, and it’s worth more money,” Lees said.
Kalapour remains in the $5m Caulfield Cup, where he has 50kg (7.5kg less than his St Leger weight), and is currently 25th in order of entry (18 can run with provision for four emergencies).
“At this stage I don’t think he will be going to the Cup, but we’ll see what happens on Saturday,” Lees said.
“I can’t really split Kalapour and Cleveland, but if pushed perhaps favour the latter simply because he has 2kg less than his stablemate.
“Cleveland raced in blinkers for the first time when sixth in The Metropolitan and over-raced a bit.
“I expect him to settle better on Saturday, and the distance won’t be a problem.”
Lees has advised RacingNSW stewards that Equilox had been applied to Cleveland’s off hind hoof, but stressed it was nothing to be concerned about.
Queensland Oaks winner Amokura (Dylan Gibbons) begins a new campaign in the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m), and has drawn awkwardly with 59kg topweight.
“We’ll ride her quietly from the wide alley,” Lees said. “There was no point kicking her off in anything shorter than 1600m.
“It’s a good starting point, and there are spring options for her in both Sydney and Melbourne.”
Rustic Steel (Jay Ford) and Inver Park (Gibbons) represent the stable in the $2m Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m).
“Rustic Steel has to run regardless of his wide draw, and we’re aiming him toward The Ingham (previously Villiers Stakes) over the Randwick ‘mile” in December,” Lees said.
“It’s a tough race but I think Inver Park can be competitive if he gets a genuine tempo.”
Kind Words (Gibbons) gets blinkers in the Listed Reginald Allen Quality (1400m) for three-year-old fillies.
“Hopefully they help her jump better,” Lees said. “She was slow away when resuming at Newcastle and did a pretty good job to be beaten less than one and a half lengths when fourth.
“Obviously this is a decent jump in class, but she is a nice filly and can run well from an inside draw.”
. There are gear changes on two other provincial starters in the St Leger.
Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier has decided to take ear muffs off Torrens (Jenny Duggan), whilst Raging Bull (Jason Collett), having his first start since being purchased by Newcastle’s Mark Minervini, will be without blinkers.
Wyong trainer Wayne Seelin also has a St Leger representative. Apache Belle runs for him with star Newcastle apprentice Dylan Gibbons to ride.
Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup and Kembla Grange father and son trainers Rob and Luke Price are certainly on a roll.
Widdup won his fourth race in the last three days when Souttar (Heavelon Van Der Hoven) and Owari (Tyler Schiller) both scored at Kembla Grange today, whilst Team Price also chipped in with a home double, winning with Verbek (Kathy O’Hara) and Headstock (Brock Ryan).
Widdup had been successful with Hasty Honey at Newcastle on Tuesday, and Fire Lane at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The three-day foursome took him to 14 winners for the season.
Souttar, a $450,000 buy at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale, was gelded after his first two starts as a two-year-old, and overpowered his rivals in the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1000m).
“He showed ability, but needed to be gelded as he was a big heavy horse,” Widdup said.
“When you see them handle a genuine tempo and finish off as he did today, it’s a good sign they are up to midweek or even Saturday company in town.”
Owari sat outside the leader in the Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1600m) and was strong to the line to win comfortably, notching his second victory.
“I think 1600m is his limit,” Widdup said. “I have tried him out further and whilst he has raced well, the 1600m appears to suit him better.”
The Price boys also landed a double with Candlelit and Our Gold Hope at their home track meeting last Saturday, and have now trained 13 winners so far this season, following on from their premiership victory in the past season.
*Story John Curtis, October 12, 2023 - Pics Martin King, Sportpix*
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