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Trainer Kris Lees is relying on dual Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy to bring him success in Sydney and Brisbane over the weekend.
Lees has McEvoy boked to ride Zestful at Canterbury on Friday night and has also engaged him for both his runners at the opening of the State Of Origin Jockey Series at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
He rides Game Pie in the Class 3 Plate (1600m) and Invitations in the BM 85 (1200m) for Lees at Eagle Farm.Trainer are able to choose their riders from the list of jockeys taking part in the State of Origin series.
“We’ve had plenty of luck with Kerrin, and it was good to be able to book him for both horses at Eagle Farm,” Lees said.Zestful makes her return to racing at Canterbury in the $80,000 feature BM 75 (1100m).
Lees also accepted with topweight Awasita but has withdrawn her in favour of a start at Rosehill on Saturday.Zestful was also an acceptor for Awasita’s BM 85 Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill along with another stablemate Dal Cielo.
“Dal Cielo is an unlikely runner because of his outside barrier,” Lees said.Zestful, a five-year-old Redoute’s Choice mare, has raced only eight times for three victories.
Her third to Eloping and subsequent G1 winner Miss Cover Girl in the Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) at the Gold Coast in May at the start of the winter carnival points to her being nicely placed at Canterbury.She was spelled after finishing eighth to subsequent Melbourne spring carnival winner Palazzo Publico in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality (1200m) at Doomben on May 21.
Zestful has trialled once, finishing a close fifth to Prince Memnon over 1000m at Wyong on November 28.“Zestful has a proven fresh record and is ready to return to the races,” Lees said.
“Her draw is a little tricky, but if Kerrin can have a bit of luck on her, I’m sure she will run well.”Lees’ other Canterbury runner is Admiral Jello (Tommy Berry) in the BM 72 Handicap (1900m).
“Admiral Jello has run well without much luck when placed at both runs this time in,” Lees said.“He is getting up to a suitable distance now, and has to be a good chance.”
Lees has booked Brenton Avdulla for Awasita at Rosehill, and is hoping he can get the mare back into winning form.After an unsuccessful trip to Melbourne, Awasita had a short break before finishing fifth to Our Renaissance over 1000m at the Muswellbrook Cup fixture on November 27.
“Her run was okay,” Lees said. “She drew awkwardly and covered ground but was good late.“It’s an open race, but she drops 2kg and should get a nice run from a soft draw.”
Onemorezeta (Avdulla) is Lees’ other Rosehill representative and the trainer isn’t concerned about her outside draw.“She is better off there racing outside horses. I think she will run okay, but will be better placed when she gets to a couple of forthcoming races against her own sex.”
Stablemates Game Pie and Invitations were floated to Queensland on Wednesday and Lees has made important gear changes on both horses.Game Pie will race in blinkers, whilst winkers will come off Invitations.
“Game Pie is poorly drawn, but I feel he is ready to improve,” Lees said. “The blinkers should help him focus better and the softer ground and extra distance will suit him.“Invitations needs to lift, but he is working well and trialled nicely at Wyong recently.
“I’ve taken the winkers off, just trying to change things around with him. If he doesn’t perform we will give him a break.”