Trainer Kris Lees hoping mile option can land a big payday for the promising Flag Of Honour
A change of plans to bypass a Group 1 could prove profitable for trainer Kris Lees and the connections of the promising Flag of Honour.
Horse Racing
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Trainer Kris Lees is hopeful his decision not to target a Group 1 race with Flag Of Honour results in a $1 million reward in the TAB Callander-Presnell (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Lees had been aiming Flag Of Honour at the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) but decided to change his plans and set him for the Group 2 mile race instead.
“We were going to the Spring Champion at the start of his preparation but I just don’t think he is mature enough yet, particularly on the testing (wet) track,” Lees said.
“So, he’s staying at 1600m and although he has to take on Golden Mile, he’s there to run a very good race.”
Lees is also optimistic that Never Talk can cause an upset in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m).
“Never Talk is flying this spring but she gets back in her races so with that racing style she needs luck in running,” Lees said.
“But she is very effective on her day and handles the soft-heavy tracks well.”
The champion Newcastle-based trainer also has talented duo Acquitted and Samoot in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m).
“Acquitted is resuming and although he will improve off the run he’s a very nice horse,” Lees said. “Samoot comes out of a good midweek win and enjoys these conditions.”
Lees revealed speedy filly Willinga Beast was scratched from the Brian Crowley Stakes to run in the Crockett Stakes at The Valley instead.
“We discussed it with the ownership group, she works well the Melbourne way of going and the shorter straight might suit her,” Lees said.
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Royal Randwick for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1000m: 1,4,5,6
1200m: 6,7,4,1
1400m: 2,1,3,6
1600m: 3,2,5,4
1800m: 4,5,1,2
2000m: 2,1,6,7
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Barber $6-$5.50 with a $500 bet at $5.50, Coincide $11-$7-$6.50 with bets of $1,000 at $11, $500 at $11 twice, $1,500 at $9.50
Race 2: Jalmari $9-$4.60-$4.80-$4.60 with bets of $600 at $9, $600 e/w at $5.50/$2, Smooth Esprit $9-$7
Race 3: No big bets or market movements of note
Race 4: Naval Seal $8-$6
Race 5: Yiyi $9-$6
Race 6: Kote $4.20-$3.90 with bets of $800 at $4.20, $650 at $3.80, Insurrection $7.50-$5.50-$6 with bets of $500/$660 e/w at $6/$2.50
Race 7: Communist $6-$4.60-$4.80
Race 8: Elliptical $4.60-$4.80-$4.20-$4 with bets of $2,000 at $4.80, $521 at $4.80, Sharp ‘N’ Smart $6-$6.50 with a $1,000 e/w bet at $6/$2.10, She’s Extreme $6-$6.50-$6 with a $600 bet at $6.50
Race 9: Nimalee $8-$6 with bets of $280/$620 e/w at $8/$2.70, Icebath $4.40-$5 after a $500 bet at $5 multiple times, Swat’s That $15-$16-$11, Belle Plaisir $51-$21, Sheeza Belter $15-$11
Race 10: Acquitted $26-$9 with bets of $500 at $26, $500 e/w at $16/$4.40, Clemenceau $3.60-$3.40 after a bet of $770 e/w at $3.60, Bella Rouge $8-$6 with bets of $300/$400 e/w at $7/$2.40
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 7,9,12,18
Race 4: 4,6,8,11
Race 5: 2,4,8
Race 6: 1,2,3,7
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,4,5
Race 8: 1,3,4,5
Race 9: 2,3,11,12
Race 10: 4,5,7,13
PRICE CHECK
Elliptical (race 8) is the best-backed runner on the Randwick program, firming from $4.80 to $4 for the Spring Champion Stakes after some solid support including bets of $2,000 at $4.80 and $521 at $4.80. One of Elliptical’s main rivals, Sharp ‘N’ Smart has eased from $6 out to $6.50 despite a bet of $1,000 each way at $6/$2.10.
TRIAL POINTERS
Barber (race 1) is a cleverly-named son of Trim who was herself a high calibre mare in her day winning Research Stakes (now known as the Golden Pendant) and also the Red Roses Stakes. Barber, a son of Exceed And Excel, has been the star of both of his trials ahead of Saturday’s Kirkham Plate where he will be one of as many as five Godolphin two-year-olds having their first race start. Barber won his first trial at Warwick Farm on October 7. He was back there 12 days later and wasn’t asked to do much, cruising down to the line for an unhurried fourth.
Palmetto (race 5) adds considerable interest to this year’s Filante Handicap named in honour of the beloved Beryl White. Palmetto is a four-year-old son of Ghibellines bred in New Zealand where he raced nine times for three wins including the Southland Guineas-Dunedin Guineas double by a combined margin of upwards of nearly five lengths. Now stationed in High Street with John Sargent, Palmetto has been tuned up for his second Australian start with a couple of eye-catching trials, both here at Randwick last month.
SECTIONAL STARS
Jalmari (race 2) can add to Danny Williams’s imposing Highway tally of winners when contesting his sixth consecutive Highway on Saturday. Granted, this son of The Brothers War, has only managed to win once in his 16 starts, it is worth noting that he has contested some very strong races in his time. In fact, his four subsequent starts after finishing second in the Canberra Guineas Prelude were in the Ajax Stakes, Carbine Club Stakes, Packer Plate and the inaugural $500,000 The Coast. Jalmari has seemingly never been closer to an overdue win than now judging on his closing third in a Randwick Highway on October 8 when beaten a diminishing five lengths margin.
Spicy Hotpot (race 6) is a Mark Newnham-trained filly by the reigning Champion First Season Sire, Russian Revolution from the same family as the outstanding USA racehorse and stallion Dehere. On top of that, her second and third dams are daughters of US Triple Crown winning legends Seattle Slew and Secretariat. As for Spicy Hotpot herself, the lightly-raced bay has raced three times only for a win and a third. She was fancied to win at the midweeks at Warwick Farm on October 3 and while finished fifth of the eight runners, she was strong through the line and will appreciate racing on the bigger track with the additional fitness.
BEST BET
Golden Mile (race 7) is short enough in betting at $1.80 but it is impossible to tip against him. He is coming off a tough win in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas where he held off a wall of challengers in the straight. He’s drawn the outside barrier for The Callander-Presnell in gate 10 but the Randwick 1600m start is the fairest in Australian racing and jockey Hugh Bowman has plenty of time to find a position. With the likelihood of a heavy surface, Bowman will be able to find the right part or the track to make Golden Mile’s finishing run. At level weights, Golden Mile looks a class above his rivals.
VALUE BET
Never Talk (race 9) has run to blinders this campaign including her fast-finishing second behind Sky Command in The Nivison last start. She tends to get back in her races so the wide barrier isn’t a major concern. With a solid tempo up-front and the likelihood of a track close to the heavy range, Never Talk is looming as a real knockout chance in The Invitation at generous odds of around $19.
THE JUDGMENT
ROYAL RANDWICK
Race 8: Spring Champion Stakes (2000m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “This is a super competitive field. Is it the Caulfield Guineas or Gloaming Stakes form? I’m going with the latter and liking the TAB price about the Kiwi, Sharp ‘N’ Smart. I loved his tenacity in his Gloaming Stakes win, Hugh Bowman knows him well now, and he will run out the trip strongly. Williamsburg should relish the 2000m, he may settle closer from the inside draw, and a soft track holds no fear. Elliptical is obviously the new horse on the scene, he’s a Dundeel colt and poses a serious threat. Promitto has always given the impression this distance would suit, and Cascadian form is good form.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I’ve been waiting for Manzoice to step out again after a sterling effort against older horses in a midweek event at Rosehill. That winner White Marlin has won since. All he wants to do is stay and find the line. Needs luck from a poor draw but think he will be strong at the end of 2000m and $31 looks enticing.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “There has been a strong push for She’s Extreme who opened at $6.50 when the market opened earlier in the week. Williamsburg won the Dulcify coming from last and almost did the same in the Gloaming. The step up to 2000m looks ideal here and he goes on top for me.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Promitto the one for me. He has been crying out for a trip all prep. Fantastic last start in a proper race and maps sweetly here. The fillies down the bottom look the dangers. We’re happy to take on the Guineas and Gloaming form.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Very even betting affair with Matcha Latte my pick at the juicy odds. Looks ready for 2000m.”
Verdict: Promitto
Race 9: The Invitation (1400m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “With likelihood of a Soft/Heavy track, defending champ Icebath will be popular with punters. She’s a great chance, but I’m thinking this might be the stage for Espiona to shine. With Brenton Avdulla riding from a middle of the line draw, she should get a good run, and winkers being applied might make her focus that bit more at the business end. Icebath is an obvious danger, noises from the stable are that she’s going every bit as well as last year. If Promise Of Success gets any kind of luck from an awkward draw, she can certainly figure in the placings. Nimalee is a classy mare and too good to leave out.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Prepared to forgive Icebath and her run in the Epsom as the jockey thought she wasn’t really comfortable in the going and didn’t let down as expected over the final 200m. Track should be better and speed not as hectic. Previous efforts behind Anamoe and Zaaki easily good enough for this.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Swats That’s last race win was the Carbine Club two years ago but I think she can spring an upset here at double figure odds. Her fourth up runs to date are seconds in a Coolmore and second behind Nature Strip in the VRC Sprint Classic. She will need luck from the barrier but I’m happy to find out at her current price.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “She’s been good to us in the past from a bookies perspective, but I quite like Espiona on Saturday. She looks much better placed here with some edge off her and the ground, and there looks more speed on paper. We’re keeping her safe and expecting the money to come. Swats That a good early move $17-$11.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Nimalee looks extremely hard to beat but there’s plenty of value in the race. Never Talk and Barb Raider aren’t hopeless either.”
Verdict: Espiona
MOONEE VALLEY
Race 9: Cox Plate (2040m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I can’t see anything but an Anamoe victory. He gets a beautiful run from the draw, and if he sees clear air at the right time, he’ll take a ton of holding out. El Bodegon brings outstanding European form, and if the predicted rain arrives that only enhances his claim. Zaaki was scratched on the eve of last year’s race, he has unfinished business and appears in good form. Mo’unga is the forgotten horse, he wasn’t far away the other day and is peaking at the right time.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Anamoe was denied this race in the stewards room last year but can go one better in this. Never really comfortable at Caulfield last start but picked them up when not entitled to. Hoping track stays in the Soft range if/when rain arrives so not as to dull his turn of foot. Gold Trip on the back up next.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Anamoe went within a whisker of winning this race last year and he has come back a bigger stronger horse. Undefeated in 3 starts this prep all at G1 level and top jockey James McDonald sticks with him. He goes on top from Zaaki who should be suited by barrier 1.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Anamoe on the drift slightly $2.25-$2.50 and we’re happy to leave him out there. We’ve seen strong support come now for the import El Bodegon ($7.50-$6.50) and Mo’unga at a bigger price. Ripping Cox Plate.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Anamoe has been heavily tried all week despite being a slight drifter. Looks good to go one better with El Bodegon the main danger while I’m Thunderstruck is the each-way play.”
Verdict: Anamoe
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