Jockey Michael Dee to switch camps in Saturday’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington
Group 1-winning jockey Mick Dee has played a part in Imperatriz’s Lightning Stakes build-up but will attempt to roll the Kiwi star on a rival runner at Flemington.
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Lightning Stakes favourite Imperatriz has had all the favours she’s going to get from jockey Michael Dee this week.
Dee has been part of Imperatriz’s preparation for Saturday’s Flemington event but will attempt to undo his own work when he rides the Chris Waller-trained Espiona in the $1m feature.
Dee rode Imperatriz in her trial at Cranbourne last Monday as well as her gallop at The Valley on Monday morning before regular rider Opie Bosson takes over in the Lightning Stakes.
Key Lightning Stakes contenders have galloped at Flemington this morning.
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) February 8, 2024
The Astrologist inside Cylinder, with Espiona third, in an 800m course proper straight gallop 👇
Video: @gilbertgardinerpic.twitter.com/0CwpHUsUYJ
Espiona and Dee won the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill last year but she has not raced over 1000m.
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However, the classy mare impressed Dee in a jumpout down the Flemington straight last Friday.
“I’m super happy,” Dee said.
“She’s going extremely well. She’s fit and she’s fresh for the 1000(m).”
TAB rated Espiona as an $11 chance in its Lightning Stakes market after nominations closed on Monday.
Dee said his knowledge of Imperatriz would play a small role in his thinking in the Lightning Stakes but said the Kiwi star was one of several chances in the talent-packed field.
Dee understood Espiona would be one of the longer-priced runners due to the fact the daughter of Extreme Choice was unproven over the short trip.
READ | Imperatriz trainer upbeat about star mare: ‘Look at Mr Brightside’
“She’ll certainly go in as an underdog,” Dee said.“It looks like it will only be a small field but a very strong field at that.
“You could make a case, I suppose, for every horse in the race but I’m happy with how she’s going and how she trialled up the straight.
What a great thrill for Denise Martin & her @StarTbreds owners as @cwallerracing's Espiona (Extreme Choice) wins the G1 Coolmore Classic - we're so fortunate to have assisted in the selection of her from @torryburnstud's @mmsnippets draft.@FBAA_agents@anz_news @TDNAusNZ pic.twitter.com/6QgyHKoT0L
— Randwick Bloodstock (@RBloodstock) March 11, 2023
“If Imperatriz isn’t winning, I’m sure Espiona could be one of the ones that runs her down.
“I’ll be keeping my eye on her but I’m hoping to go past her.”
Imperatriz and Espiona are two of eight entries for the Lightning Stakes.
The Everest placegetter Private Eye, Group 1 winner Bella Nipotina and talented three-year-olds Cylinder and I Am Unstoppable are among the entries.
The Astrologist and Rich Fortune are the other horses nominated.
Originally published as Jockey Michael Dee to switch camps in Saturday’s Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington
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