Trainer Kris Lees believes Lucia Valentina could be right as rain against stars in George Main Stakes

TRAINER Kris Lees could start Lucia Valentina in a star-studded Group 1 $500,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Racing images from Melbourne Cup Day 2014 at Flemington Racecourse CupDay2014. Emirates Melbourne Cups, Who Lucia Valentina with Kerrin Mcevoy as they ride towards the starting gate. Picture: Sarah Matray

TRAINER Kris Lees admits he is mindful of Lucia Valentina’s indifferent second-up record but the forecast for rain in Sydney later this week could sway him to start the outstanding mare in a star-studded Group 1 $500,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Lucia Valentina has a mystifying habit of performing well below her best at her second start in a preparation so Lees had planned to alter her normal race program to give her three weeks between runs.

But Lees is buoyed by how well Lucia Valentina has done since her slashing comeback sixth to Hooked in the Tramway Stakes and the likelihood of a rain-affected is now considering a George Main start.

“I’ve nominated her for the George Main and if the rain does come then there is a good chance she will run on Saturday,’’ Lees said.

“Our original plan was to wait the extra week and go to the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield but she is very effective when the tracks are soft.

“If she gets conditions to suit, then I expect her to run a very good race in the George Main Stakes.’’

Lucia Valentina is among 14 nominations for the George Main Stakes which includes seven individual Group 1 winners.

Kerrin McEvoy on board Lucia Valentina.

Lees has entered Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist for the George Main Stakes and the Group 2 $200,000 Hill Stakes (2000m) with the trainer indicating his leaning to the shorter race.

TAB Fixed Odds has released an early betting market on the George Main Stakes with the Chris Waller-trained Kermadec the $2.80 early favourite with TAB Fixed Odds ahead of stablemate Royal Descent $5.50, Pornichet $8 and Lucia Valentina at $10.

The return of Group 1 racing to Royal Randwick this spring has resulted in a bumper 146 entries, with the Hill Stakes attracting 24 nominations including 10 individual Group 1 winners. Waller has 11 stayers entered for the race.

The Group 2 $200,000 The Shorts (1100m) also has an outstanding 16-horse entry including Terravista, Shiraz, Rebel Dane, Ball Of Muscle, Craftiness, Hot Snitzel and Atmospherical.