3 minute read
Dual acceptor Zelitist is likely to be given the chance to break her maiden status at Randwick on Boxing Day.
The lightly-raced Zabeel mare, trained at Newcastle by Kris Lees, is also an acceptor for her home track meeting on Friday.
She has the rails alley in the Class 1/Maiden Plate (2300m) but Lees is leaning toward a metropolitan assignment at headquarters.
Brenton Avdulla has been booked for Zelitist in the Maiden Plate (1800m) at Randwick.
The four-year-old has raced only three times, and shown steady improvement.
She was narrowly and unluckily beaten by Noble Scorn in a Maiden Plate (1850m) at Broadmeadow on December 6 after being held up for a clear run at a vital stage in the straight.
"She should have won that day," Lees said. "At this stage, I'm probably looking to go to Randwick with her.
"There doesn't appear to be a standout in the Sydney race, so she would definitely have a good chance there."
Lees, who has set up a sizeable lead already this season in a bid to regain his Newcastle training premiership crown, has four other acceptors at Broadmeadow's Boxing Day meeting.
One of them, Kooroc (3YO Maiden Plate, 1200m) is also an acceptor for Gosford on Monday - and his trainer is yet to decide which race he contests.
Mossman three-year-old Jamming makes his debut in Friday's Maiden Plate (900m), and Blake Spriggs has the mount.
Lees has taken his time with Jamming, who trialled twice in July before being rested, and then finished second to Farah in an 800m trial on a heavy Broadmeadow surface on December 11.
"He trialled nicely and should run well on debut," Lees said.
Both Artibai (Class 2 Handicap, 1850m) and Savanero (Maiden Plate, 1400m) appear to have strong prospects.
Lees' apprentice Samantha Clenton will claim 2kg on the pair of topweights; Artibai dropping to 56.5kg and Savanero to 57kg.
Former French horse Artibai started favorite when a first-up third to Bob's A Dazzler in a Class 1 Plate (1750m) at Muswellbrook late last month.
"He was a touch disappointing then, but I'm expecting him to race well on Friday, especially from the inside alley," Lees said.
Savanero has been placed at both starts since joining Lees' stable. He ran third first-up at Goulburn on November 23 on Cup day then finished second to Rage And Rock over 1300m at Hawkesbury on December 7.
"He is knocking on the door to break through," Lees said. "He just needs some luck from the awkward draw on Friday."
Lees also will be strongly represented at the Randwick Boxing Day meeting.
Aside from Zelitist, he runs Unique (Hugh Bowman), Felines (Avdulla) and Sanosuke (Jim Cassidy).
Lees feels Unique is better placed coming back to 1600m, and the gelding has drawn nicely.
He expects him to figure prominently in the special conditions 2MW event.
"I'm running Felines in the Benchmark 70 Handicap because I feel the 1000m suits her best and the good draw means she will get cover," Lees said.
Following a first-up second over 900m at home on November 16, Felines finished only fifth of six runners over 1100m at Randwick on December 13.
Former Victorian Sanosuke goes from winning a Class 2 Plate (1200m) at Mudgee on Cup day (December 5) to a NMW event over the same journey, and his trainer isn't downplaying his chances.
"It was a terrific effort at Mudgee," Lees said. "He gave them a big start and was strong to the line.
"He has the rails alley on Friday, and is definitely in with a chance."
