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Trainer Kris is banking on the fitness of Invitations being a decisive factor on testing ground at Randwick on Saturday.
Lees has decided to back up the gelding over 1000m with Tommy Berry his rider.
Invitations, after winning over 1200m on the Beaumont track in April, was runner-up at three of his subsequent four starts; including an unlucky defeat over 1050m at Doomben on July 9.However, he was never a winning prospect after beginning awkwardly, when eighth to Magnajoy over 1100m at Rosehill last Saturday carrying 58.5kg. With the rise in class this time he drops 2kg.
“I’ve decided to back him up because I’m hoping his fitness will stand him in good stead on what is certain to be a heavy track,” Lees said.“He’s not the best horse in the race, but it’s worth a throw at the stumps.”
Invitations, now raced by Australian Bloodstock and clients, won at Gosford in May last year against six rivals over 1200m at his only start on a heavy surface.Lees said his proven wet tracker Electric Power may be racing for the last time at Randwick over 1200m against her own sex.
Electric Power (Koby Jennings) and Knit ‘N’ Purl (Kerrin McEvoy) will both represent the stable in this race.“At her best and especially on heavy ground, Electric Power would be hard to beat in this,” Lees said.
“But it’s questionable whether she is going as well as she was earlier in her career.“She will soon be off to stud, this may be her last race.
“Knit ‘N’ Purl is a tough little mare who always gives her best. I’m sure she will run well again.”Electric Power, a daughter of renowned wet track sire Mossman, is now a six-year-old and has won five of her 26 starts, and also notched eight minor placings.
Three of those wins have been on soft/heavy ground, along with six placings.Knit ‘N’ Purl, a daughter of More Than Ready, has started only eight times for three wins (one each on soft and heavy ground). Her dam Zingaling won and was placed on heavy ground during her racetrack career.
Knit ‘N’ Purl scored gamely under 57kg on the Beaumont track on July 9 and then was again brave when runner-up to Zoumagic over 1250m at Canterbury on July 27.