LUCIA’S FOAL READY TO BEGIN HER CAREER IN TOWN

THE last filly foal of Kris Lees’ former champ Lucia Valentina (pictured) will make her keenly awaited debut on the Kensington track today.

But the leading Newcastle trainer is definitely not making any comparisons with his triple Group 1 winner, who sadly lost her life from a colic attack in August last year.

“At least not yet anyway,” he said this evening of blueblood three-year-old Erin Jo (by I Am Invincible), who will line up in the Maiden Handicap (1300m), with Nash Rawiller aboard, at the twilight meeting.

With such a pedigree, Erin Jo was understandably popular at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale and fetched $700,000.

She is raced by John Singleton in partnership with media identity Erin Molan.

Lees has taken his time with Erin Jo, who has trialled on five occasions between June and November 10.

“She has trialled okay and, as with her Mum, is a filly who is going to get over ground in time,” Lees said.

“You have to get them going somewhere, and this is a good starting point.

“I feel she can run a nice race, but at the same time she will be better next time in work.”

Lucia Valentina won seven races (including the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick, Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens and Turnbull Stakes at Flemington), and was also placed in a Caulfield Cup.

Her 30-start career yielded earnings of just over $4.3m. After Erin Jo, her last foal was a colt by Per Incanto.

Lees also accepted with last start Gosford winner Calga Power (Tim Clark) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) at the Kensington meeting, and will make a decision in the morning whether to run or wait for a similar race over 1200m at Newcastle’s Beaumont meeting on Saturday.

Atelier (Aaron Bullock) will have her first start for her new trainer, in the Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1350m) on the Beaumont track.

A four-year-old daughter of So You Think, she won her first three starts (including one in town) earlier in the year.

“Atelier’s work has been sound enough, and she has the inside barrier,” Lees said.

The postponement to Sunday of the Rosehill meeting has enabled Lees to book a couple of Sydney’s top jockeys for his runners at Saturday’s Doomben meeting.

Tyler Schiller will ride debutante Bollente Bella in the Listed Phelan Ready (1110m) for two-year-olds, and Tommy Berry partners Damien in the Magic Millions Pierata Plate (1200m) for three-year-olds.

“Bollente Bella is a nice Too Darn Hot filly who has trialled twice and won her latest over 800m at Gosford on November 25,” Lees said.

“She is a Magic Millions filly, and obviously we would like to get her there to the Gold Coast next month if she is good enough.

“Damien also was an acceptor for Rosehill on Sunday, but I decided to send him to Brisbane for this set weights race against his own age.

“The favorite Grafterburners is the horse to beat, but Damien ran well when placed on resumption at Rosehill last month and has since had a tick-over trial at Gosford.

“He has come up with the inside alley and I’m sure will run well.”

Lees has a number of runners at Rosehill on Sunday, kicking off with Éclair Encore (Jason Collett) in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m).

“She is on the back up after being runner-up at Canterbury last Friday night,” Lees said.

“She kept coming to the post, and getting up slightly in distance will suit.”

Hawker Hall (Kerrin McEvoy) tackles the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m) after also being runner-up, at the Kembla Grange metropolitan meeting a fortnight ago.

“He ran very well first-up, has taken nice improvement and should be hard to beat,” Lees said.

Barazin (Tyler Schiller), Kind Words (Tim Clark) and Oakfield Wallaby (Tom Sherry) all are acceptors for the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).

“Barazin and Kind Words definitely will run, but I’m not sure yet about whether Oakfield Wallaby will join them,” Lees said.

“Blinkers go back on Kind Words instead of winkers. It’s a minor change and hopefully will help her.”

Little Beginnings (apprentice Ben Osmond) contests the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).

“Little Beginnings found the 1600m Little Dance at Randwick last month a bit beyond him, but has a real liking for Rosehill and cannot be taken lightly,” Lees said.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 4, 2025