Wyong preview: A Kris Lees-trained gelding has been building towards his first Australian win and that looks set to be Fulfilled

Trainer Kris Lees has been happy with the recent form of imported gelding Fulfilled and the gelding looks well placed to score a deserved win.

Fulfilled (outside) can record his first Australian win at Wyong. Picture: Bradley Photos

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is looking to start Golden Slipper week on a high note with strong chances in three races at Wyong.

European import Fulfilled is yet to salute in Australia having arrived in late 2023 but the gelding put the writing on the wall that a win isn’t far away with placings in three of his last four starts including one over this track and distance.

The son of Ulysses finished a long head third behind Bullets High on The Lakes Day at Wyong on January 11 as a $71 chance.

He had heat stress when ninth at Rosehill a week later but has bounce back with two handy efforts to finish a close third to Impunity at Warwick Farm and second behind Laspirit Deeler Rosehill on February 26, both over 2400m.

Another tight finish at @WyongRaceClub, BULLETS HIGH prevails though in a driving finish, making it a double for @PrideRacing!@AlyshaCollettpic.twitter.com/c8c2zKuF3m

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 11, 2025

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

“He’s racing consistently and has been getting beaten far,” said Lees.

“He raced well at Wyong a few weeks ago and there’s no reason why he can’t run well again.

“That was a Saturday meeting so it was a pretty strong race which is good form going into this.

The gelding drops back to 2100m in the Stephen ‘Beaver’ Schofield Retirement Cup with Nash Rawiller aboard.

“He was only narrowly beaten at Warwick Farm two starts ago,” said Lees.

“I think if he runs up to that, he is in this race as a good chance.”

Miss Busslinger pleased Lees with the way she closed off when sixth behind Balkans when resuming in the Canterbury Night Sprint Series Final on February 28.

The three-year-old filly copped a bump at the start and settled well back on the rails but was doing her best work over the last 50m.

“The 1100 metres probably isn’t her go so I thought it was a nice return run,” Lees said.

“She was good through the line which is what I wanted to see.”

The daughter of Saxon Warrior will appreciate the slight step up in trip when she tackles the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) with James McDonald taking the ride.

“For a horse who has only won one race, she’s got her fair share of weight this week.

“That said, if she can get the right type of run from the draw, I think she will be effective here.”

Despite a long campaign, Little Beginnings continues to race with great consistency and looks a good each-way chance in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m) for apprentice Benjamin Osmond.

That's a winning double for Ben Osmond! He finishes the day booting home Little Beginnings for the boss @Leesracing 💥 pic.twitter.com/xYZtzcjVnS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 13, 2024

The gelding came from midfield when narrowly beaten by Junqueira in this same grade over 1250m at Canterbury two starts ago.

He then lead the Mudgee Cup and finishing a close second to Osman after going head to head down the straight.

“He has been up a while but he’s racing well this horse. He won first-up at Rosehill back in November,” he said.

“I expect him to run well from that soft drawn and he gets in nicely with the claim.

“I think he can knock off another win shortly.”

In the same event, Oakfield Duke is ready to run a bold race after two handy fourth placings at Randwick and Warwick Farm.

“He hasn’t been far away and at Randwick two start back, you can make a case that he should have been right there in the finish,” he said.

“He will appreciate a good tempo coming off the back of them and he will run well.

Lees is preparing the unbeaten Rivellino for Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill and couldn’t be happier his colt.

“The horse is in good order and I expect he will run another good race,” he said.

â–  â–  â–  â–  â– 

Trainer Marc Quinn hasn’t given up hope of Bomarea running out a strong 1200m in the future but will stick to her proven distances for the short term.

Bomarea set a track record break pace in front when resuming in the MNC Country Championship Qualifier over 1200m at Port Macquarie before being swamped at the 150m and beating just two home behind Sumo Fish in track record time.

“We had a crack at the Qualifier but she was just asked to do too much in the early part of the race which left her vulnerable late,” said Quinn.

“While her form says she’s a 1000m specialist, I still honestly believe she will run 1200m given the right steer and barrier and what not.

“Until that comes along, we will just run her in races that she is suited in and we though the Wyong 1000m in this grade would be suitable.”

The lightly raced Bomarea never looked like getting beaten. pic.twitter.com/dQuboBA8ue

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 16, 2023

Quinn freshened the five-year-old mare after that tough run and has found an ideal race in the Domeland Handicap Benchmark 78 over the 1000m where her record reads seven starts for four wins and three placings.

“We’ve had a good look at this race and we’re not going to give Andrew (Adkins) too many instructions. He knows what he is doing,” he said.

“I would think Matthew Smith’s horse, Wondereach would lead from the inside draw, but I’ll leave it to Andrew to ride her as he feels best.

“If she can cruise across and sit outside that horse, that’s fine.

“We did that at Tamworth when Mollie (Fitzgerald) won on her.

“I’d like to see she is ridden neutral out of the gates. Her neutral is most horses revved out of the gates.

“She’s got terrific speed but it just has to be harnessed to finish the race off, especially now that she is up in grade.”

Joining Bomarea on the float is Auzstar who resumes in the Bishop Collins Accountants Handicap (1200m).

“He is going really well but he’s a hard horse to place with his country rating,” Quinn said.

“He’s probably not up to this grade this grade but he is fit and well and I’m sure will run as well as he can.

“He usually take a couple of runs so I’d like to maybe head to Brisbane for a no metro win race when he is at his peak but we will just take him one run at a time.