Trainer Kris Lees feels the extra distance will suit Flag Of Honour and Wolverine
Exciting three-year-old Flag Of Honour and Wolverine won’t have any troubles handling a wet Randwick track according to trainer Kris Lees as they chase stakes success.
Trainer Kris Lees is adamant the likelihood of a heavy track won’t impinge on the chances of promising three-year-olds Flag Of Honour and Wolverine at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Flag Of Honour ($4.40) lines up in the Listed $250,000 Dulcify Stakes (1600m) and Wolverine ($8.50 in the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m).
“To be fair, all of mine are capable in the going,” Lees said.
“Flag Of Honour has won on heavy but I’d prefer him on top of the ground as he can show a better turn of foot. Wolverine has handled soft tracks well.”
Lees said Flag Of Honour will appreciate getting out to 1600m with the colt being set for the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) later this month.
“Flag Of Honour was good (fourth placing) in the Ming Dynasty in what is going to be a strong form race and he’s trained on well,” Lees said.
Wolverine has come through the Princess Series including her fast finishing third to Zougotcha in the Tea Rose Stakes last start.
“The Flight Stakes is the race we have targeted with Wolverine, it has got a little stronger with others coming into the pool (Fireburn, She’s Extreme) but she should appreciate the mile, too,” Lees said.
Lees withdrew Luncies from the Hill Stakes and has sent the stayer to Melbourne to contest the Group 1 $1 million Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
“Luncies is only second-up so I thought it would be preferable for him to run on a firmer track at this stage of his preparation,” Lees said.
“The Turnbull is probably a stronger race but it will give us a good guide on where we are going with Luncies this spring.”
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Royal Randwick for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
1000m: 1,4,5,6
1200m: 7,6,1,5
1600m: 3,2,5,4
2000m: 2,1,5,6
2400m: 1,2,3,4
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: Flying Trapeze $11-$8.50 with bets of $300 e/w at $11/$2.90, $500 e/w at $10/$2.70, $500 e/w at $10/$2.60, Physical Graffiti $3.50-$3.20-$3.40 with a bet of $1,000 at $3.40
Race 2: Perfect Proposal $2.90-$2.80 with a bet of $1,000 at $2.90, Sicilian $6-$4.40
Race 3: Mahagoni $6.50-$3.80-$3.60 with bets of $400 at $5.50, $474 at $3.90, $1,060 at $3.80
Race 4: Montefilia $2.25-$2.20-$1.85 with bets of $1,500 at $2.25, $1,000 at $2, $1,053 at $1.95, $1,111 at $1.90
Race 5: Williamsburg $3.60-$4-$3.90-$4-$4.20 with a bet of $1,250 at $4, Flag Of Honour $4.60-$3.80-$4, Communist $8-$3.90-$3.30 with bets of $527 at $4.80, $500 at $4.60, $600 at $4.40, $625 at $4.20, $670 at $4, Conqueror $6-$6.50-$5-$8-$8.50
Race 6: Fireburn $3.50-$2.80-$3-$2.50-$2.15-$2.40 with bets of $1,200 at $3.50, $500 at $3.40, $1,560 at $3, $1,500 at $3, $1,040 at $3, $1,000 at $3, $1,054 at $2.90, $2,400 at $2.70, $1,334 at $2.60, $1,334 at $2.50, $3,650 at $2.15, Zougotcha $3-$3.50-$3.40 including a $2,000 bet at $3.30, Pavitra $51-$71-$51-$41 with a bet of $400 e/w at $51/$8
Race 7: Lost And Running $2.30-$2.25-$2.40, Mazu $4.60-$5-$4.60 with a bet of $1,000 at $5, $400 at $4.80, Kementari $15-$11, It’s Me $26-$19-$23
Race 8: Top Ranked $6-$4.50-$4.60-$4.40 after a bet of $3,900 at $6, Icebath $4.50-$3.50-$3.80-$4 with bets of $750 at $4.50, $500 at $4.50, $500 at $4, $2,000 at $3.90, $932 at
$3.80, $600 at $3.70, $500 at $3.50, Hinged $4.50-$6-$4.40-$3.70 with bets of $800 at $6, $2,000 e/w at $5.50/$2, $1,000 at $5.50, $560 at $5.50, $1,000 at $5, $1,106 at $4.60, $900 at $4.60, Cross Talk $11-$7.50
Race 9: Stockman $8-$7-$7.50-$7 with bets of $1,300 at $8, $500 at $8 multiple times, Le Don De Vie $11-$7.50-$7 with a bet of $1,000 at $7.50, Durston $3.50-$4-$3.50-$3.60-$3.40 with a $5,000 at $4, Grove Ferry $11-$8.50 with a bet of $2,000 at $11, Hameron $51-$14-$13
Race 10: Steely $21-$14, Bacchanalia $5-$3.90 with bets of $600 e/w at $5/$2, $600 at $4.60, $500 e/w at $4.20/$1.80, $500 at $4, Chassis $12-$10
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 2,6,13,14
Race 4: 1,2,8
Race 5: 1,2,4,6
Race 6: 1,3,5,6
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,3,6
Race 8: 1,4,5,8
Race 9: 1,7,12,14
Race 10: 1,3,7,11
PRICE CHECK
Fireburn (race 6) has been sensationally backed to win the Flight Stakes. She opened at $3.50 but is into $2.30 after a series of big bets including $1,200 at $3.50, $1,560 at $3, $1,500 at $3, $1,040 at $3, $1,000 at $3, $1,054 at $2.90, $2,400 at $2.70, $1,334 at $2.60, $1,334 at $2.50 and $3,650 at $2.15.
TRIAL POINTERS
Tarabeau (race 1) is another of the Waterhouse/Bott trained two-year-olds who won over many admirers at the official trials. This replica son of Brazen Beau won the last of the 10 heats in as impressive style as any of the previous nine. The $90,000 Inglis Classic Yearling crossed over from a wide draw, coming away from his rivals from the 200m to win by a comfortable two length margin. Looks to be loaded with talent.
Perfect Proposal (race 2) was one of a handful of ‘stars’ at the official Two-Year-Old trials held at Randwick on September, winning her 850m trial by more than two lengths. A typically well-educated and “racy” two-year-old, as is the custom with Tulloch Lodge youngsters, Perfect Proposal, a $420,000 Magic Millions Yearling purchase, is a purpose built two-year-old being by Leading First Season Sire, Russian Revolution, out of a sister to the great Alinghi.
SECTIONAL STARS
Williamsburg (race 5) is an increasingly valuable colt given his status as a multiple stakes-winner coupled with his regal pedigree. The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained three-year-old is a son of Ryan’s own Snitzel and is out of the Group 1 ATC Vinery Stakes winner and Denise’s Joy descendant, Fenway. Williamsburg ended his two-year-old campaign by claiming the Baillieu Stakes/Fernhill Stakes double before his final start on the 2021/22 season where he clocked in third in the Champagne Stakes. Caught the eye in the Ming Dynasty 14 days ago and is tailor-made for the step up to the mile now.
Fireburn (race 6) aims to add a third Group 1 to her tally when the Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce winning filly lines-up in the ATC Flight Stakes at Royal Randwick on the Epsom/Metrop card. The Gary Portelli-trained daughter of Rebel Dane was the talk of the town (outside the winner, Jacquinot) when she finished fast up along the rails to clock in an ever diminishing two lengths fifth to the now confirmed Everest starter in last Saturday’s Golden Rose. Fireburn looks as if she will get track conditions to suit today bearing in mind her record on heavy going is three wins and a second from four outings.
BEST BET
Flag Of Honour (race 6) won his two starts as a juvenile before making his three-year-old debut with a fast finishing fourth to Golden Mile in the Ming Dynasty three weeks ago. He will appreciate the step up to 1600m and handles heavy tracks. The one to beat.
VALUE BET
Remarque (race 10) made an outstanding return to racing at Rosehill when he travelled three-wide without cover but still showed admirable desire to score a tough win. He’s a talented sprinter who seems set to go to a new level this season. He’s value odds at $4.
THE JUDGEMENT
ROYAL RANDWICK
Race 6: Flight Stakes (1600m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “If Gary Portelli is happy to run Fireburn then I’m happy to be with her. With the promise of a heavy track, the Golden Slipper winner is going to come into her own. She’ll settle midfield and be powering home late in the piece. No knock at all on Zougotcha, she’s proven herself a top filly and has to be in the finish again. Newcastle filly Wolverine should enjoy the 1600m. I doubt she can win but Renaissance Woman shouldn’t be the outsider here.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Fireburn has to buck the Golden Slipper ‘hoodoo’ but she showed last Saturday she has returned in great order by zooming home in the Golden Rose against the boys. Brings that formline into this stepping up from 1400m but more importantly gets a wet track which she loves.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “I loved the way Zougotcha dug her heels in last start. It looked like Madame Pommery was going to go straight past her in the Tea Rose Stakes but she responded like a good horse. She maps to get a great run from barrier 2 and looks the better bet compared to Fireburn at their current prices.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “An avalanche of money here for the Golden Slipper winner in Fireburn who looks well placed on the seven-day back up off a good run in the Golden Rose. Punters thinking she’s suited by the conditions and stepping to the mile. We laid $5 all in and she’s already been $2.70-$2.40 final field. One of our worst ways of the day.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Fireburn looked back to her best last start and she’s the one to beat. No surprise to see she is carrying the bulk of investments.”
Verdict: Fireburn
Race 8: Epsom Handicap (1600m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Deserving to win a Group 1 and actually doing it are two very different things, but this is Icebath’s golden opportunity. A couple of WFA placings behind Anamoe read so well for this, and it just looks her race to lose. Top Ranked is a very good horse, his first up win was a beauty, and he is absolutely the class of this race. Cross Talk has no weight on his back, likes a wet track and it the likely leader. All the support has been for Hinged, she’s a quality mare with a great chance.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Icebath has been very good at all three runs back but her biggest helping hand here is the fact there has to be genuine speed with the likes of Cross Talk leading with Ellsberg keeping it honest whist wide draws for both Hinged and Nimalee should see them wanting to go forward. She deserves a big race win and her big race 1600m form here is strong.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Icebath is fourth up now with three very credible runs under her belt. She wasn’t suited by the pace in the George Main having to take off at the 600m to try and run them down. There should be more tempo here, the wet track and James McDonald in the saddle are all positives and she looks primed for a maiden Group 1 victory.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Hinged has been very well supported $8-$3.80. We’ll look to take her on throughout the trade. Top Ranked, if he doesn’t come off that big return second up, profiles well out to the mile and looks to map perfectly. Icebath always dangerous in the conditions, just needs the track to be playing fairly.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “There’s been a big go on Hinged since Thursday and she is now into favourite. I’m in the corner of Icebath though. Tipping J Mac will be at his best to break her Group 1 drought.”
Verdict: Icebath
Race 9: The Metropolitan (2400m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “Chris Waller has a strong hand and I think No Compromise can take care of business. All three runs this spring have been terrific against good competition, he will relish the wet track and is ready for the 2400m. Grove Ferry has a sense of timing about him, he’s in great form but a very wet track may pose a question mark. The favourite Durston has taken all before him in recent times and will be popular with the punters (wet track a worry?), while these are Stockman’s conditions and he’s always promised to win a nice staying race.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I like the value around No Compromise here at close to double figures. Since arriving in Australia, he has had five 2400m starts for three wins, a second and ran sixth in this race last year. Wet is a help to him and hoping he can position closer in the run than last start because of a better draw here.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “It’s an interesting edition this year with Kukeracha being the only Group 1 winner in the field. Stockman goes on top for me. He is 4th up and steps out to 2400m on a heavy deck which ticks plenty of boxes. Le Don De Vie from the Maher and Eustace camp with JMac on board is next best.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Durston is completely flying but looks short enough now to us. Think the value lies with No Compromise who looks ready now. Can be put into the race from the good draw and gets some handy weight relief under handicap conditions. Been well supported $11-$7.50.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Really like the way Durston has won his past two. He’s my top selection while the value could be Hameron with the light weight.”
Verdict: No Compromise
Originally published as Trainer Kris Lees feels the extra distance will suit Flag Of Honour and Wolverine
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