Newcastle trainer Kris Lees expressed satisfaction this week with the withdrawal of defending champion In Flight from the listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Randwick. Lees is set to field at least two contenders in the Saturday feature race, both of whom have previously been outpaced by the Joe Pride-trained mare. In Flight will instead compete in the group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm.
Lees’ Contenders Eyeing Success
Among Lees’ runners is Brudenell, currently at $10 odds. Last year, Brudenell led the field at the 150-meter mark in the Bob Charley, then known as the June Stakes, only to be narrowly beaten by In Flight just before the finish line. Infancy, priced at $16, is another strong contender for Lees. Two starts ago, Infancy came from last place to finish second to In Flight in the Sapphire Stakes, narrowly missing out on back-to-back victories in that event.
“It beat us last year in this race and narrowly beat Infancy two starts ago, so I was happy for it not to be there,” Lees commented. “I believe Brudenell presents our strongest chance, but I wouldn’t rule out Infancy. There’s not a significant difference between them.”
First emergency Memoria has also secured a spot in the field for Lees. However, there’s a possibility she may be reserved for the Canterbury Park meeting on Monday. The six-year-old Russian Revolution gelding, Brudenell, acquired by Lees for $80,000 as a yearling, has accumulated over $1.1 million in prize money from 10 wins and nine placings across 36 starts. Brudenell has consistently performed at a high level, securing seven placings in stakes company, including a strong second-place finish to Bev’s Nine in the recent listed Ortensia at Scone.
Key Runners and Jockey Insights
Top country jockey Aaron Bullock will ride Brudenell from barrier one. Brudenell is a son of Knit’n’Purl, a former mare trained by Lees. “He’s very consistent and he’s had some close seconds, too,” Lees noted. “He was beaten on the line last year in this race, he was beaten a nose last year in the Takeover Target, and he was just beaten this year in the Ortensia. All very narrow defeats, but he’s won a couple of times by close margins as well.
“Aaron knows him well, he’s won on him and ridden him plenty of times, and the gate gives him the chance for a nice economically run.”
Lees and his mother, Vicki, are part of the ownership group for Brudenell, which carries the stable’s distinctive colours, as does Memoria. The trainer also holds a stake in the five-year-old mare Infancy. Infancy was not sold at last month’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, with a reserve of $775,000, and “will probably be traded at the beginning of the broodmare season”.
Infancy showed a strong finishing burst in her last start, the Luskin Star Stakes at Scone, but was squeezed for room between runners late in the race, finishing eighth. She will race from gate 10 with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle. “She got tightened for room late, she wasn’t going to win, but she would have got a better cheque,” Lees explained. “But she loves Randwick. She always runs well, but her racing style means she’s giving away starts, so she relies on a lot of other factors.”
Memoria, at $19, is first-up and is assigned barrier five with Alysha Collett to ride, should she take part on Saturday. “She always reacts well fresh and she’s good at 1100m,” Lees stated.
Queensland Racing Highlights
At Eagle Farm, Lees also has Crathie Kirk as a long-shot contender in the Queensland Oaks, aiming to secure consecutive wins in the race for the stable, following You Wahng’s victory last year. Crathie Kirk, a $180,000 yearling purchase, was rated $151 after finishing 11th in The Roses last start. Prior to that, she had won at Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast.
“It was a very slow-run race the other day and she got shuffled back at a vital stage,” Lees said. “I’m not going in with any great hope of winning, but I think she’ll run well.”
Berry’s Optimism for Oaks Contender
Sydney jockey Tommy Berry is anticipating a more favorable run for Solid Gold in Saturday’s Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. The filly drew gate four, a week after finishing fifth as the favorite in the Derby. Berry had guided the Roger James and Rob Wellwood-trained Savabeel filly forward from a wide gate 14 in the Queensland Derby, securing a prominent position, but she ultimately faded in the 2400m test against male competitors.
Returning to 2200m and competing against her own sex in the Oaks, Solid Gold is expected to benefit from a more economical race. This should provide Berry with the opportunity to achieve consecutive wins in the Oaks, having won the race last year on You Wahng. “She’s drawn really well and she’s in good form,” Berry commented. “She was a little bit disappointing last start, that she didn’t hit the line the way we thought she would, but all in all, she’s good.
“It’s a big ask to back up, but she’s trained by Roger James, so she’s got the right man for the job. I just think we rode her closer last start, just because of the draw, and she was up to 2400 from the 2000 as well.” Solid Gold was priced at $9.50 on Friday, with Chris Waller-trained Panova the $3.50 favorite.
Berry has a strong book of rides for the program, including Now Is The Hour ($2.60), Glenorchy ($3.20), Agarwood ($8), Hyperbolic ($17), Sun God ($6), and Boomtown Boss ($7).
Stradbroke Handicap Aspirations
Tony Gollan-trained Boomtown Boss will contest the Moreton Cup from gate five, aiming for a start in the Stradbroke Handicap. The horse experienced an unlucky run last time out in the BRC Sprint. “He’s drawn really well, which is key to him,” Gollan stated. “Blinkers on first time last time, which was good, but he just had no luck, so if he gets the luck, I reckon we’ll get a good result on the weekend.”
Brad Widdup-trained Hyperbolic is set to compete in the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic following a narrow second-place finish to Pinito in her previous start. “Hyperbolic is going really well and is a mare in form,” Widdup said. “Her first couple of runs this prep she had no luck and was caught wide, and since then a couple of good barriers have aided her well. I thought she was good the other day after having to do quite a bit of work.”
