KRIS Lees has given his apprentice Ben Osmond the chance for first Saturday city double at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Taking full advantage of Osmond’s 3kg metropolitan claim, the leading Newcastle trainer has booked him for Hellavadancer in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) and Bubba’s Bay in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).
Osmond has ridden five city winners; the first being Cheerful Legend midweek on the Kensington track last August, and Kazou was his maiden Saturday winner in town at Rosehill on June 29.
“Ben is going well, and deserves the opportunity on both these mares,” Lees said on Friday morning.
Hellavadancer was a dual venue acceptor, but has been withdrawn from a Doomben engagement in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1350m), where she drew the outside barrier in a field of 13.
Lees has welcomed this week’s rain, with Rosehill on Friday morning rated a ‘Soft 6’.
“Hellavadancer is in good form, but found the track a bit firm last time when third to I Am
Famous in a similar race against her own sex over 1400m at Rosehill a fortnight ago,” he said.
“She will appreciate the softer ground, and can definitely run well.
“Bubba’s Bay was excellent on resumption when third to Fleetwood in a Benchmark 88 over 1100m at Royal Randwick on July 27.
“She has trained on nicely since that run, and is very capable on soft ground.”
Bubba’s Bay won three races in a row in Brisbane in March and early April before a break, and has been successful at seven of her 18 starts.
Blinkers come off Ucalledit (Dylan Gibbons), who returns in the 1400m Handicap.
“He likes soft ground but we have to take him on trust to see where we are at with him,” Lees said.
Lord Of Biscay (Gibbons) has his second Australian start in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) following an excellent fifth in a 1200m Benchmark 78 at Rosehill on July 20.
“I have given him time to get over that first run since last September, and he has made good improvement,” Lees said.
“Getting to 1400m suits better, and he has drawn the rails and should get every chance.
“The Cameron Handicap (1500m) at home next month is a possibility if he races up to expectations tomorrow.”
Worth $250,000, the Big Dance Eligibility Group 3 Cameron will be run at Broadmeadow on Friday, September 20.
. With Hellavadancer’s absence, Lees has only one representative at Saturday’s Doomben fixture.
Angela Jones rides the mare Classic Deel in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2200m).
“Classic Deel showed a pleasing return to form when narrowly beaten in a Benchmark 78 (2000m) at the Coffs Harbour Cup meeting on August 2,” Lees said.
“She won a Benchmark 65 Handicap at Doomben over this distance last November on a heavy track (Doomben was rated a Heavy 10 on Friday morning) and has drawn well.”
Story John Curtis, August 16, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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