Kris Lees hopes Rivellino can enhance his Golden Slipper credentials this Saturday

The Group 2 Skyline Stakes will be a strong litmus test for Rivellino, which will give trainer Kris Lees more clarity where the colt sits in the Golden Slipper pecking order.

Rivellino will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Skyline Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Trainer Kris Lees is eager to get a better guide where Rivellino fits in the $5m Golden Slipper picture when his unbeaten colt takes on the Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

Rivellino has made a flawless start to his career with two wins from two starts and earn Slipper ballot exemption if he can complete a winning hat-trick.

The son of Too Darn Hot put his name up in lights at his last visit to the races with a slashing effort from back in the field to win the $2m Inglis Millennium.

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Lees is wary how the Millennium form will stack up, given it’s restricted status for Inglis purchased horse, but the leading Newcastle conditioner believes Rivellino is ready to make his presence felt again.

“He has come on well since the Millennium and feels like he should be suited now stepping up to the 1200m,” Lees said.

“I am pretty happy with him.

“It doesn’t always stand up the Millennium form, being a restricted race, but I think it’s the right year to give him his opportunity.

“They seem to be all taking their turn at the moment and there is no standout two-year-old.
“We will all know where he sits on Saturday. I think he will run well.”

$180,000 @inglis_sales Classic purchase Rivellino takes home just over $1 Million as he wins the Inglis Millennium in style for @Leesracing and @mcacajamez! 👏@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/RE3NZktxbd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

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Rivellino will be one of two unbeaten juveniles set to line up in the Skyline Stakes with Allan Kehoe’s impressive juvenile Shaggy also set to contest the lead up.

Shaggy holds $3 favouritism for the Skyline from Rivellino and United States at $5.

In-form jockey Jason Collett will take over from James McDonald on Rivellino, a $26 Slipper chance, on Saturday with the latter to pilot the Chris Waller-trained United States.

Rivellino is well placed in the latest Golden Slipper order of entry, sitting 11th with $191,500 in prizemoney earned.

Godolphin colt Beiwacht snared the first exemption by winning last Saturday’s Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes while Blue Diamond winner Devil Night and Golden Gift victor North England with the weight of prizemoney.

The Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes for fillies will also take place on Saturday with Bellazaine ($3.50) and Within The Law ($4) heading pre-final field betting.

Within The Law was last seen finishing a close second behind Rivellino in the Inglis Millennium.

Originally published as Kris Lees hopes Rivellino can enhance his Golden Slipper credentials this Saturday