KRIS Lees has called on one of his most successful jockeys Hugh Bowman to ride unbeaten colt Rivellino in the $5m TAB Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m).
The leading Newcastle trainer this morning confirmed Bowman had agreed to return from his current Hong Kong base to partner the youngster in the world’s richest two-year-old event at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week.
Successful at all three starts at Royal Randwick, including the $2m Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 8, Rivellino is currently on the fifth line of betting at $11 with TAB.com.au in a wide open Slipper.
Wodeton is $5 favorite, narrowly ahead of last Saturday’s Randwick winners Tempting ($6) and Tentyris ($7).
Bowman has ridden 147 winners for Lees, including seven Group 1 victories on Samantha Miss (three – Champagne Stakes and Flight Stakes at Randwick, and VRC Oaks at Flemington), Le Romain (Cantala Stakes at Flemington), Lucia Valentina (Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens), Vitesse Dane (Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm), and Clearly Innocent (Kingsford-Smith Cup at Eagle Farm).
Rivellino’s latest victory in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 1, when ridden by Jason Collett, automatically earned him a place in the Slipper line-up.
“Hugh didn’t really take much convincing,” Lees said.
“We’ve had a great association over many years, and it’s great to have him on the colt.
“It’s a very open Slipper, and could be $6 or $7 the field when the race comes around.
“The barrier draw early next week is going to be very important.
“I’m very happy with how Rivellino has trained on since the Skyline, and obviously we’re hoping for a favorable gate.”
Bowman won’t have the opportunity to get a “feel” of Rivellino in a track gallop before the Slipper, but Lees isn’t concerned.
“Hugh has never ridden trackwork for me anyway, and Rivellino is a pretty straight forward colt,” he said.
Lees goes into this year’s Slipper renewal with understandably greater optimism than his only previous representative.
Elimbari, who won on debut at Rosehill in January 2010, was a $101 chance when she jumped from barrier 11 in a field of 15 and ran last in Melbourne filly Crystal Lily’s Slipper that year.
Lees has nominated three horses (First Person, Lutetia and Miss Busslinger) for Saturday’s fourth Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier at Gosford.
Gosford Race Club received 20 entries for the only 1200m heat of the annual series.
Story John Curtis, March 10, 2025
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