PACY NEWCASTLE FILLY READY TO MAKE HER MARK IN TOWN

PROMISING filly Flame Of Hestia is ready to tackle Saturday grade at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

On the back of an impressive Wyong victory last month, she lines up against her own age in the 3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m).

Jason Collett partnered Flame Of Hestia (pictured) in her dominant Benchmark 64 Handicap (1000m) triumph on June 24, and partners her again.

“Flame Of Hestia was very impressive at Wyong scoring by more than three lengths, and she has drawn well to boost her claims tomorrow,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“She likes to get her toe in the ground as her three wins from five starts have been on wet ground (two on soft and the other on heavy), and she looks like getting another soft track.

“Flame Of Hestia should be hard to beat and looks our best chance tomorrow.”

Zaphod (Josh Parr) is Lees’ other Randwick representative, in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m).

“He has been a head scratcher at his last couple of runs after an excellent first-up second at Randwick in late April,” Greer said.

“But don’t dismiss him lightly tomorrow.

“This distance (1800m) is his best, and his work at home on Tuesday was really good.”

Lees has bigger representation at tomorrow’s Doomben meeting with five runners.

He withdrew Hawker Hall from a Canterbury engagement during the week and has sent him north looking for a better surface (Doomben was rated a ‘Soft 5’ this morning).

“Hawker Hall’s two wins have been when he was able to lead and dictate,” Greer said.

“If he can cross Pre-Eminence and take up the running, he will be very competitive.”

The stable says Barazin (Damien Thornton) will take further improvement from the Class 6 Handicap (1600m) and the same with Rogue Bear (Jake Bayliss) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2000m).

“They’re both ticking over nicely,” Greer said.

“We also have Bengal Boy (Bailey Wheeler) in Rogue Bear’s race, and his last run in the Gatton Cup (2000m) was good.

“He goes from the country to Saturday grade in town, but comes down 4kg and is not without a chance.”

Lees’ other Doomben runner is Inver Park (apprentice Cobi Vitler) in the Benchmark 90 Handicap (1200m).

“Inver Park was an acceptor at the Gold Coast last Saturday in a 1200m Open Handicap, but Kris decided to wait another week with him,” Greer said.

“Her has a big weight, but Cobi’s 3kg city claim will help offset that.

“Inver Park hasn’t raced since January, but had two trials locally before being sent to our Gold Coast stable.

“He has won first-up before and is nicely drawn, and will take benefit from whatever he does tomorrow.”

Story John Curtis, July 11, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos