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Provincial Racing NSW

LEES SPLITS PAIR TO HAVE FEATURE RUNNERS IN TWO STATES




KRIS Lees has decided to split stablemates Ucalledit and Kinloch on Saturday in order to have representatives in feature races in two States.

Ucalledit (pictured) remains here to line up in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick, whilst brilliant first-up winner Kinloch has been sent north to contest another Listed event, the Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m), at the Brisbane metropolitan meeting at Caloundra.

Stable apprentice Dylan Gibbons rides Ucalledit, and Lees’ main Queensland jockey Andrew Mallyon has the mount on Kinloch.

Ucalledit was scheduled to resume at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight ago, but was a late scratching when he twisted his off fore plate in the tie-up stalls earlier in the afternoon.

“He recovered quickly, and is ready to go on Saturday,” Lees said this morning.

“Ucalledit has been in work quite a while, is going well, and has won twice first-up before.”

Lees won the Carrington two years ago with Special Reward, and also was a close second four years earlier with Group 1 winner Prized Icon, who was having his first start for him and went out as a $31 outsider when beaten by Lanciato. Glyn Schofield rode both Lees’ horses.

Kinloch has gone to Lees’ Gold Coast base in readiness for a crack at the Sunshine Coast Cup.

“I felt it was slightly the better option for him, and he’s drawn well in the big field,” Lees said.

“Kinloch has trained on well since coming from last to win a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick three weeks ago.

“I’m really happy with him.”

Lees has also withdrawn Orlabent from a Warwick Farm engagement tomorrow to also run at the Sunshine Coast meeting.

Andrew Mallyon rides him in the Class 3 Plate (1000m), and Lees has chosen to race him in a cross-over nose band.

“He went a bit keen last time when fifth to Shaken at Randwick three weeks ago,” he said.

“This looks a pretty suitable race for him, and he has been improved by two runs this preparation.”




Lees’ other Randwick runners are Almania (Benchmark 88 Handicap, 2000m) and Infancy (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m against her own sex). Dylan Gibbons rides both.

“Almania had a minor setback last autumn after finishing fifth in the Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill after winning there a week earlier,” he said.

“He trialled nicely earlier in the month, and has run well fresh in the past. It would be no surprise to see him react well again.

“I’m forgetting Infancy’s defeat when sixth at Rosehill a fortnight ago.

“She was unlucky at her previous start at Randwick, and I’m expecting her to run well although she has drawn awkwardly.”

. Lees is yet to confirm whether Yankee Hussel will back up to step up in class in tomorrow’s Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm.

In the best form her career, the four-year-old mare posted her third win on end when she scored impressively in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill last Saturday.

“Yankee Hussel has drawn one from the outside and at this stage is running, but I’ll make a final decision in the morning,” Lees said.

“She is going well and enjoying her racing.”

Tom Sherry is a new rider for Yankee Hussel, with last week’s successful jockey Sam Clipperton unable to make her 54kg.

Blinkers go on lightly-raced filly Imposant (Dylan Gibbons) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) at Warwick Farm.

“I feel she needs them,” Lees said. “It’s a step up in grade, but she is going well and is against her own sex.”




Lees accepted with Strapparsi in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm tomorrow, but has delayed a decision on a start, having drawn a little awkwardly with the rail out 12m.

His other Sunshine Coast runner on Saturday is Saxon Warrior filly Miss Busslinger in the 2YO Handicap (1000m).

Andrew Mallyon will ride her 0.5kg over at 55kg.

“Miss Busslinger is making her debut, and trialled well enough at Gosford last week,” Lees said. “But it’s hard to line up how she will fare against Queensland opposition.”

Story John Curtis, January 25, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos

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