RIVELLINO’S SKYLINE TEST FOR GOLDEN SLIPPER

INGLIS Millennium winner Rivellino will have his Golden Slipper test at Royal Randwick in a fortnight.

The unbeaten colt’s trainer Kris Lees has confirmed he will go to the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) against his own sex.

The Skyline winner automatically qualifies for the $5m Group 1 Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

“Rivellino has come through the Millennium really well,” Lees said this morning.

“James McDonald will let me know next Monday if he can ride him again in the Skyline.”

McDonald had his first race ride on the Too Darn Hot youngster in the $2m Millennium (1100m) at Randwick last Saturday.

At this stage, he is committed to Slipper favorite Wodeton, who is scheduled to have his next start in the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday week.

Whilst Rivellino was not credited for all of his $1.155m prizemoney for winning the Millennium as it was a restricted race for eligible Inglis graduates, he still sits fifth (with $191,500) in order of ballot for the Slipper.

“In any case, Rivellino would need to win or run very well in the Skyline to justify continuing to the Slipper,” Lees said.

Meanwhile, Lees has decided to send both Barazin and Age Of Sail to Queensland to run at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Last start Canterbury winner Barazin drew the outside in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1900m) there tomorrow night, and instead tackles a Class 3 Plate (1800m) in Brisbane.

“He is racing well, and the Eagle Farm event looks very suitable, especially as he has drawn near the inside at the tricky 1800m start,” Lees said.

Andrew Mallyon will ride both Barazin and Age Of Sail, who takes on the Benchmark 80 Handicap (2200m).

“Age Of Sail has now had two runs back, and there wasn’t a suitable race for him in Sydney beyond 2000m,” Lees said.

“The 2200m is going to suit him, and he has been to Eagle Farm before, being placed over 1810m there at last year’s winter carnival.”

Lees also starts Dream Hour (Mallyon) at Eagle Farm, in the Open Handicap (1400m).

“Andrew rill ride him 0.5kg over at 54.5kg,” Lees said.

“Whilst Dream Hour was unplaced at Doomben last time, he likes Eagle Farm, where he won The Gateway over this distance in December 2023.

“And going to open company provides him with some good weight relief on his last run (60kg to 54.5kg).”

Dual venue acceptor Little Beginnings won’t run at Eagle Farm where he drew poorly in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m), and Lees isn’t sure yet he will line up either at Canterbury tomorrow night in the Evening Star Benchmark 78 Handicap (1250m).

“I’ll wait and see if there are a couple of scratchings to bring him in a bit closer,” he said.

Lees also has delayed a decision about Oakfield Duke (Chad Schofield) running in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday after he drew near the outside.

Lutetia (Zac Lloyd) will definitely line up at Canterbury tomorrow night in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m).

“She ran well first-up (beaten only a half-length) on the Kensington track on January 22, and has taken nice improvement,” Lees said.

“Lutetia is a lightly-raced filly with upside, and this race looks suitable for her.”

Lloyd has had only a few rides for Lees, who gave him his first Melbourne Cup opportunity on the now retired Kalapour in 2023.

Story John Curtis, February 13, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos