Trainer Kris Lees wants one last hit-out for talented Rustic Steel ahead of Championships

Although Rustic Steel is coming off a dominant win in a Provincial/Midway Qualifier, trainer Kris Lees will send him to Rosehill on Saturday to top off his preparation for the $500,000 Final.

Trainer Kris Lees won’t be dodging a wet track with talented Rustic Steel in the Cleanaway Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Lees said Rustic Steel needs this race to have the gelding at his peak for the $500,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick in two weeks.

“Rustic Steel needs this run at Rosehill or he could go into the Final a bit fresh,” said Lees who also has Never Talk, Kinloch and Geo qualified for the rich Randwick race.

Kris Lees has already qualified four runners the Provincial-Midway Final including Never Talk (right). Picture: Getty Images

“He was dominant in his qualifier, but so was Never Talk. I thought Kinloch was very good and Geo is racing well so they are all in good form.”

Lees is hoping to boost his stable presence in the Provincial-Midway Final with multiple runners in the Newcastle Qualifier on Saturday and for the Wildcard at Newcastle on Thursday.

The champion Newcastle trainer has big-race chances at the Rosehill meeting with Gem Song lining up in the Group 3 $160,000 Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m), Special Reward is in the Group 3 $160,000 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) and Yankee Hussel in the Group 3 $160,000 The Schweppervence (1400m).

“Gem Song is more than ready to resume after a couple of trials so he should run,” Lees said.

“I’m not sure about Special Reward on a heavy track. He’s had a great preparation but we will see what the Rosehill track is in the morning.

“Yankee Hussel is a nice filly and although she has drawn wide, she will enjoy getting out to 1400m.”

THE BEST BARRIERS

The best barriers at Rosehill Gardens for the last 3 years (in order of wins)

1200m: 2,1,3,7

1300m: 2,5,4,3

1400m: 5,3,4,8

1500m: 1,5,4,2

2000m 4,1,6,8 2400m: 1,3,5,2

THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS

Race 1: No big bets or market movers of note

Race 2: Boyfriend $6-$5, Matcha Latte $26-$13

Race 3: Mount Popa $3.70-$3.20 after bets of $750 at $3.70, $400 at $3.40, $499 at $3.30, $500 at $3.20

Race 4: Character $7-$7.50 with bets of $500 at $7.50, $860 at $7, $465 at $6.50, Sword Point $8.50-$5, Paternal $10-$6.50

Race 5: Annavisto $3.50-$3.60-$3-$3.10 with bets of $2,000 at $3.40, $1,500 at $3.10, Kiku $26-$17

Race 6: Our Playboy $4.80-$4.20 after bets of $250 e/w at $4.40/$1.85, $1,000 at $4.20, Mr Mozart $5.50-$4.40 with bets of $500 at $5.50, $450 at $5, $2,000 at $4.40, $685 at $4.40, $500 at $4.40

Race 7: Think It Over $3.50-$4, Spanish Mission $4.40-$4 with bets of $529 at $4.40, $2,000 at $4 twice, Duais $3.40-$2.90 with bets of $1,000 at $3.40, $500 at $3.40, $500 at $3, $1,000 at $2.90, $500 at $2.90

Race 8: Hinged $5.50-$4 with bets of $500 at $5.50, $400 at $4.80, $500 at $4.20, Gypsy Goddess $3.90-$4.20, Pink Ivory $26-$13

Race 9: Gravina $3.90-$3.50 with bets of $1,000 at $3.90, $750 at $3.90, Maotai $3-$2.80 with bets of $1,500 at $3, $2,000 at $2.90

Race 10: Rustic Steel $4-$3.40 after bets of $600 at $4, $1,000 at $3.80, Taksu $3.10-$3.20-$2.80 with bets of $1,000 at $3.20, $2,500 at $2.80

Kiku has been specked at big odds in the Emancipation Stakes (race 5) at Rosehill. Picture: Grant Guy

EARLY QUADDIE

Race 3: 4,5,14

Race 4: 3,5,6,11

Race 5: 3,4,5,10

Race 6: 1,2,5,14

QUADDIE

Race 7: 1,2,10,11

Race 8: 2,4,6,7

Race 9: 2,13,18

Race 10: 5,7,8

PRICE CHECK

The clash of Taksu and Rustic Steel (race 10) in the Rosehill closer is intriguing. Both in-form sprinters have their supporters with Taksu firming from $3.10 to $2.80 with bets of $1,000 at $3.20 and $2,500 at $2.80. Rustic Steel has also shortened from $4-$3.40 after bets of $600 at $4 and $1,000 at $3.80.

TRIAL POINTERS

Nimalee (race 5) is aiming to defend her Emancipation Stakes crown on Saturday and join the likes of Skyerush, Catkins and Zanbagh who were all back to back winners of the mares feature between 2012 and 2017. The Matthew Smith-trained Nimalee is a daughter of So You Think and boasts some compelling numbers at the track and the trip and importantly, raced well second-up. A close runner-up in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket on Match 4, Nimalee was kept up to the mark with a distant second to the high class I Am Superman in a 1200m heat at Randwick 12 days ago.

Imaging has trialled impressively ahead of his first-up run in the Doncaster Prelude. Picture: AAP Image

Imaging (race 6) is a Chris Waller-trained import seeking to add the Doncaster Prelude to his C.V which includes a win in the 2020 Ajax Stakes beating Yulong Prince and the subsequent Doncaster Mile winner, Cascadian. Imaging hasn‘t been seen in action since clocking in last at $91 in the Classqiue Legend Stakes on October 30 but will find this much more to his liking on several levels and he has shown himself to perform on all manner of surfaces. The Juddmonte Farm-bred seven-year-old signalled his intentions with a narrow but impressive win in an 1175m trial at Warwick Farm on March 11.

SECTIONAL STARS

Kote (race 2) is trained by Anthony Cummings who counts the son of Choisir as one of several potential top class horses that he has bred himself. Kote is a member of the second to last crop of his Hall Of Fame sire and is in every way synonymous with the breed, looks-wise at least. Kote has been something of an eye-catcher in his only two runs to date, one of them a Canterbury maiden last month, the other and most recent outing was his fifth in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes where he crossed the line like a horse eager for 1400m and more.

Mount Popa (race 3) was foaled in Ireland and was bred by the famous Niarchos family who have bred an incredible 125 Group or Grade 1 winners including seven Breeders‘ Cup winners. For the record, Mount Popa carries the blood of patriarch Stavros Niarchos’ grand champion - Nureyev. As for the Team Hawkes gelding, he was passed late in the Sky High Stakes at his last start by the Tancred Stakes-bound Stockman and is timed to peak in Saturday’s Neville Sellwood Stakes.

BEST BET

Brutality (race 6) has been improved by two runs from a spell and is well suited going to the Rosehill 1500m course on a heavy track. The Joe Pride-trained gelding is a superior wet-tracker and at two-time winner over the course and distance. The winner of the Villiers Stakes last campaign, Brutality is well placed in the Doncaster Prelude and should go close.

Brutality is suited by the 1500m and wet track at Rosehill on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

VALUE BET

Paternal (race 4) is showing considerable staying promise with two wins and a third from three starts in his debut race campaign. He was impressive beating older horses at Goulburn last start. Up in grade and distance but Paternal is a progressive type and good value around $7.

THE JUDGEMENT

R6: Doncaster Prelude (1500m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I found this a tricky race to sort out. Do you go with the proven or up and comers? I‘ve settled on an up and comer in Our Playboy, a horse who comes here fitter second-up, likes a soft track, and has 53kg from a good barrier. The dangers are many. I thought Imaging trialled really well recently and is set to run a big race fresh. Brutality and Just Folk must run well to confirm their Doncaster Mile claims. And if you like the 3yo form at the moment, Coastwatch seems a crazy price.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I thought little separated the two starters that get perfect runs here in Mr Mozart. Looking to Ashman, who is drawn between them to bring them over and the 5kg weight difference swings me towards the 3yo in Mr Mozart. Willie Pike rode with intent to be positive on him last start and that paid dividends. Ridden similar here can feature again.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “The money came for Our Playboy as soon as the markets opened and it hasn’t stopped yet. Ran well enough first up on dry ground and is much better suited by the wet conditions here. Mr Mozart and Imaging have also been well supported since the market opened.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Imaging is very hard to catch but six of his last eight starts have been in Group 1s. Clearly an easier assignment for him here and the booking of McDonald signals intent from the stable. Our Playboy we’re happy to take on.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Imaging has been specked in the past 48 hours at the each way quote. Our Playboy opened $11 All In on Monday and our customers were quick to jump on the juicy overs. He’s the one for mine.”

Verdict: Imaging

R7: Tancred Stakes (2400m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Trainer Edward Cummings has managed Duais superbly, this mare is at the peak of her powers now. She‘ll settle off what might be a solid tempo and I can see her being strongest again late. She meets Spanish Moon and Think It Over once more, the former now gets to his preferred distance. At good odds both Stockman and Sheraz will relish the 2400m. The forgotten horse is She’s Ideel. She loves a soft track and was huge in the Chipping Norton behind Verry Elleegant two starts back.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Have to side with She’s Ideel here at double figure odds. Never comfortable on a firming Flemington last start behind Duais but much better suited here on wet from inside draw getting to 2400m. Surely finds fence behind leaders in a race where they won’t go too quick and certainly appeals.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “The rain makes this race interesting as none of the top 3 in the market have won on a heavy track before. I have Think It Over on top, he very rarely runs a bad race and Nash Rawiller has options from barrier 3. Spanish Mission has been the best supported runner so far.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Duais looks very hard to beat. Got the tempo to suit in the Australian Cup but was dominant and think she may have more up her sleeve. The step to 2400m on a wet track looks to advantage her more than her rivals.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Duais has easily been most popular all week and holds a quarter of the money. She’s Ideel looks to have conditions to suit and is my each-way play.”

Verdict: Duais

Hinged (left) can land a second Group 1 win in the Vinery Stud Stakes. Picture: Grant Guy

R8: Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m)

Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Sydney‘s first look at boom Queensland filly Gypsy Goddess. Unbeaten in five starts, she looks a bit freakish, but this is a proper test for her, and trainer David Vandyke has warned punters that the Australian Oaks is her main aim. For that reason, I keep coming back to Hinged, a class filly having a sensational autumn and should be strong at the 2000. Never Been Kissed is at her top now, she’s the likely leader will take running down. Hinged’s stablemates Fangirl and Pretty Amazing set up nicely for this race as well.”

Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Plumping for another on speed runner here in Never Been Kissed and hoping the track is playing that way. Improved markedly on a better surface last start to chase home Mr Mozart, who should run well in race 6. Thought she has to control here easily from a soft draw as she did in the Spring Champion when was only outgunned by Profondo.”

Grant Palmer (bookie): “Hinged just got too far back in the Coolmore but the step up to 2000m here will suit and he loves the sting out of the ground. He should settle closer from barrier four and he will take a power of beating. He goes on top from Gypsy Goddess who is undefeated in five starts.”

Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Great edition and very wide open. Hinged has clearly been the best supported with us early $5-$4. Personally, I was a fan of the Kembla Classic form and although both have drawn poorly, I think Pretty Amazing and Hope In Your Heart look nice staying fillies. If they can make ground I wouldn’t be surprised to see the pair hitting the line hard.”

Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Punters are all over Hinged and Gypsy Goddess here with nearly 50 per cent of the early money with the pair. Pink Ivory has been specked at a price while Mokolua could be big overs.”

Verdict: Hinged

Originally published as Trainer Kris Lees wants one last hit-out for talented Rustic Steel ahead of Championships