Kris Lees says Eagle Farm will suit Danish Twist but he is still wary of Azkadellia

KRIS Lees insists Azkadellia is still the horse to beat in this Saturday’s Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm as the Newcastle trainer prepares to launch a two-pronged attack on the last Group 1 of the season.

Danish Twist (lime green, black diamonds) wins the Listed June Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Jenny Evans.

KRIS Lees insists Azkadellia is still the horse to beat in this Saturday’s Tattersall’s Tiara at Eagle Farm as the Newcastle trainer prepares to launch a two-pronged attack on the last Group 1 of the season.

Lees will saddle up Danish Twist and Onemorezeta in the Tattersall’s Tiara as he bids to better his best result in the race when Fritz’s Princess finished second to Absolut Glam in 2008.

Lees pinpointed Danish Twist as the stable’s leading hope in the race this year but he is hopeful rather than confident she can knock off Azkadellia.

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare finished a distant 10th in the Stradbroke earlier this month but was caught on the worst part of the track and Lees is not underestimating the Group 1 winner.

“You still have to respect Azkadellia and she was back on the fence in the Stradbroke and you have to forgive her,” Lees said.

“She is still the one to beat and she is coming back to mares grade.”

Danish Twist comes into the Tattersall’s Tiara in terrific form, having won her past four starts, including the Listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick earlier this month.

She overcame a slow early tempo and drop back in distance to score comfortably on that occasion and Lees said it was to hard to knock her recent form.

“She is in form but she has been up a long time and I am mindful of that,” he said.

“But if she can stay in the form she is in then she is going to be right in the race.

“She has always shown us good ability and it’s just a matter of the penny dropping a bit with her.

“She used to race very erratic and do a lot wrong but she has come around this prep and she is putting it all together.”

The new Eagle Farm track had genuine give in it on Stradbroke day and Lees said similar conditions wouldn’t harm Danish Twist’s chances.

The four-year-old is a three-time winner on soft ground and should also relish the big spaces at Eagle Farm.

“She is adept on all surfaces and her last couple of wins have been at Randwick and Scone and those tracks have similar configurations (to Eagle Farm),” Lees said.

Danish Twist has got the better of Onemorezeta at their past two outings but Lees warned punters not to underestimate the stable’s other runner.

“There is not as much between them as what the market will show,” Lees said.

“Danish Twist keeps beating her but not by big margins and Onemorezeta hasn’t had the best of luck either.

“She could easily run a race and she drew wide and was off a four-week gap between runs (when fourth in the Dane Ripper Stakes) and she will improve again.”

Hugh Bowman will ride Danish Twist, while Jeff Lloyd will pilot Onemorezeta.

■ Queensland Guineas winner Tsarista is likely to run in the Tattersall’s Tiara but a final decision is expected after she gallops tomorrow.