WIDE DRAWS NO BARRIER TO STABLEMATES RUNNING

WIDE barriers in big fields often afford trainers the opportunity to pull the pin and scratch their horses.

But that isn’t the case with stablemates Cloudland and Memoria, who will be rivals at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

Josh Parr will ride a resuming Cloudland, and stable apprentice Ben Osmond partners Memoria.

The rail is out 8m from the 1000m to the winning post and 7m the remainder of the track, and both horses have drawn awkwardly.

However Kris Lees’ stable spokesman Danny Greer says the wide barriers might not be such a disadvantage at all.

“Rosehill is backing up after also racing last Saturday, and the Benchmark 88 will be run later in the day (eighth of 10 races),” Greer said this morning.

“With a current ‘Heavy 9’ rating, the track is sure to be chopped up by then, so drawing wide might actually be in our favour.

“There’s not a lot between the pair.

“Cloudland has an excellent fresh record (three wins and three placings from seven first-up starts), and has trialled well for his return.

“On the other hand Memoria has race fitness on her side, and is a very genuine mare.

“She also has the pace to put herself in a good position.”

Lees’ other Rosehill representative is Valimi (Jay Ford) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).

The French import didn’t fire in his first four Australian starts earlier in the season, but has indicated improvement this campaign with two recent good trials.

“Valimi is going well, and has raced well fresh overseas,” Greer said.

“He looks to be in for a good preparation, and obviously will take improvement from his first run since March.”

. Lees also has three acceptors at the Saturday provincial meeting at Wyong.

They are Justice Please (Class 1 Handicap, 1600m), Aged Care (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1350m), and Elegant Force (Provincial Maiden Plate, 1200m).

However, Aged Care is also an acceptor for Tuesday’s Muswellbrook meeting in a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1280m), and may go there instead as he has drawn poorly at Wyong.

“Justice Please broke through at Gosford last time, and can take the step to Class 1 company,” Greer said.

“The upgraded track rating to a ‘Soft 7’ is definitely in her favour.

“Elegant Force is a two-year-old filly by Brutal, who is kicking off her career late in the season.

“She has drawn awkwardly, and no doubt will benefit from the experience of her debut against older horses.”