RUSTIC STEEL READY TO WIN ANOTHER FEATURE

KRIS Lees says Rustic Steel at Rockhampton on Sunday is his best chance to snare regional Queensland’s richest race.

The leading Newcastle trainer has sent the $2m plus earner north for The Archer (1300m), a slot race run along similar lines to Sydney’s $20m The Everest, and being run for the fourth time with a record $1m purse.

Lees has been represented in each of the three 12-horse runnings so far – but without a placing.

Josh Parr flies out after riding at tomorrow’s Hawkesbury stand-alone metropolitan meeting to partner Rustic Steel, who is resuming and has won first-up on three occasions previously.

Rustic Steel, raced by Queenslanders Ron and Judi Wanless, is at Lees’ Gold Coast base, and will be floated to Rockhampton tonight.

“Ron and Judi were keen to have a crack at The Archer, and Rustic Steel looks the right horse for it given his record,” Lees said this morning.

“He is in great order, and is well placed under the set weights and penalties conditions.”

Lees has given Rustic Steel three trials in preparation for his resumption, and he won his latest on a heavy Beaumont track over 1000m on April 16.

It was just over 12 months ago that the now seven-year-old also began a preparation in brilliant style when he led throughout and trounced his rivals in the Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) at Broadmeadow.

Rustic Steel was the inaugural winner of the Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick in 2022, and his latest victory was in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m) at Hawkesbury last November.

Parr rode him then and also when the gelding ran fifth to Robusto in the Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) at Randwick the following month.

Before The Archer, Lees’ focus will be on Saturday’s Hawkesbury meeting, but he has delayed a decision on Summer Cup winner Tavi Time contesting the Big Dance Eligibility Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).

Tavi Time drew awkwardly, but there are two withdrawals already – Welwal and Regal Zeus – which means he will jump from 13 in a field of 14 if the status quo remains.

“I’ll wait until the morning and see how the field shapes up before the 7.30 scratching deadline,” Lees said.

“If Tavi Time doesn’t run, we’ll wait for the Scone Cup (which also carries Big Dance eligibility) in a fortnight.”

Lees will be strongly represented in the Listed Hawkesbury XXXX Gold Rush (1100m) with Brudenell (Dylan Gibbons) and Bubba’s Bay (Parr) – a race he has won previously with Felines and Tactical Advantage - the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) with Love Poem (Gibbons), and 2YO Clarendon Stakes (1400m) with Damien (Jason Collett).

“Both Brudenell and Bubba’s Bay have been wonderful performers for the stable, winning 21 races between them,” Lees said.

“Brudenell has freshened up nicely and trialled well at Wyong last week, whilst Bubba’s Bay has won both her recent trials and will sprint well fresh, but take improvement from this run just the same.

“Love Poem is having her first run for us, and though drawn awkwardly, is not to be dismissed.

“She won a Wyong trial last week, and was Group 1 and 2 placed in New Zealand.

“Damien is a promising youngster, but unknown in the wet.

“If he handles it and runs well, there’s every chance he will go on to Brisbane for the carnival.”

Imposant (Collett) and Pier Pressure (apprentice Ben Osmond) also represent the stable in the closer, the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m).

“Imposant is racing well and coming off her last start third in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, and Pier Pressure raced well last campaign, handles the wet and is a winner at the track,” Lees said.

Lightly-raced two-year-old Gobi Desert (Damien Thornton), last November’s debut Max Lees Classic winner at home, is the stable’s lone runner at Eagle Farm tomorrow in the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m).

“She is resuming and coming up nicely, but we’re going to need some luck from her wide draw,” Lees said.

. Hawkesbury remained in the ‘Heavy 8’ range on Friday morning following a further 4mm of rain in the previous 24 hours.

The rail is in the TRUE position, with the first of 10 races timed for 11.20am.

Story John Curtis, May 2, 2025