Kinloch is heading south on Sunday chasing Big Dance status.
Trainer Kris Lees was aiming both Sailor and Kinloch at Cup races carrying Big Dance eligibility rather than metropolitan assignments.
Sailor bypassed Saturday's Benchmark 80 Handicap (1615m) at Doomben to run in today's Murwillumbah Cup (1550m) but was unplaced, whilst Kinloch is heading to Goulburn for Sunday’s Cup (1400m).
He won’t run in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Lees won the inaugural The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick in 2022 with Rustic Steel when the race carried a $2m purse.
This year’s renewal, worth $3m, will be run on November 5.
Lees decided to send Kinloch to Goulburn for his resumption, and has booked Nash Rawiller, who has won twice on the gelding, including the 2022 Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick.
“Kinloch invariably races well fresh (three wins and as many placings from nine starts) and has had two trials leading up to his return,” Lees said.
“He has drawn awkwardly, but gets back anyway and will have his chance to run them down in the straight.”
Lees kicks off campaigns for both Kalapour (Dylan Gibbons) and Cleveland (James McDonald) in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Kalapour won the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens in March before a gutsy third in the 3200m Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April, whilst Cleveland hasn’t appeared since failing in the Group 2 wfa Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm in mid-June.
“Both horses are going to take improvement from this race, and I want to see them have a good day out,” Lees said.
“Kalapour will be nominated for all the big races, and I would like to get him to the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.
“Cleveland didn’t fire in both Brisbane runs in winter off a long break, and I’m putting blinkers back on to hopefully wake him up.
“Unfortunately he had to be withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup (3200m) last November after winning the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, and hopefully we can get him to Flemington this year.”
Lees also runs Miss Busslinger (Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes, 1200m) and Infancy (Group 3 Toy Show Quality, 1100m) at Randwick – and Dylan Gibbons will ride both.
“They’re resuming also, and again will benefit from these first-up starts,” Lees said.
“Miss Busslinger has had only the one trial, and has drawn nicely, although this is a tough race.
“Infancy is coming along well, and her chances have been improved with Joliestar going to the Group 3 Show County instead.
“Infancy races really well at Randwick, and can definitely be competitive.”
Story John Curtis, August 22, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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