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Not even steady rain today has put a dampener on Kris Lees’ confidence of clinching back to back home track Newmarket Handicaps tomorrow.
Lees, owners Australian Bloodstock and jockey Brenton Avdulla won last year's edition with Princess Posh, and team again in the Group 3 feature, this time with early favorite Special Reward ($3.30).
The former West Australian four-year-old will be having only his second start over the Newmarket 1400m, and Lees is putting his faith in the gelding to cope with the assignment.
"His only run at 1400m was in Perth as a two-year-old when he finished second with 58kg, so it was a bit inconclusive," Lees said this afternoon.
"But I've felt for quite a while that he would handle it.
"Special Reward is unbeaten from two starts on soft ground, so today's rain isn't a concern.
"Broadmeadow is such a wonderful track that it would take a lot of rain for it to be affected to any real degree.
"Special Reward has trained on well since his latest win in the Southern Cross Stakes (1200m Group 3) on soft ground at Randwick nearly three weeks ago.
"He is drawn nicely, and I'm sure he will be run well again."
Whilst Lees has had Special Reward in his care for only three runs, the gelding has already put together an impressive record of seven wins from 13 starts.
He carried 54kg in his Southern Cross victory, and rises 3kg for his Newmarket test.
Lees, who clinched first and third placings last year with Princess Posh and Invincible Gem, also starts $23 chance Delectation Girl (Christian Reith).
"She has drawn the outside (barrier 16), so we will ride her quietly," Lees said.
The much-travelled Delectation Girl, runner-up in last year's Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, has raced once this preparation, when fifth to Savatiano in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 22.
Lees has two other runners at the Newmarket meeting; Iconic Star (apprentice Louise Day) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (900m) and Pellezzano (Avdulla) in the Maiden Handicap (1400m) for three-year-olds and upwards.
He has withdrawn Fall On A Star from the Maiden Plate (1200m), and is not yet certain to start her either in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
"Iconic Star is a pacy little filly who has won two of her three starts this time in," Lees said.
"She should run well again, but it's a very competitive race all the same.
"Pellezzano has had two runs for me since coming from Victoria, and they have been okay over shorter distances.
"The 1400m will suit her better."
. Lees has made significant gear changes on Australian Bloodstock import Raheen House (Tommy Berry), who makes his debut for his new trainer in Saturday's Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m).
He will race without a cross over noseband, winkers and ear muffs (pre-race only), but with a tongue tie instead.
"Raheen House has pleased me in all his work," he said. "I'm very happy with his progress.
"He started favorite in the Ebor Handicap (won by now stablemate Mustajeer, who scored first-up at Rosehill recently) at York last August before coming to Australia."
Lees also accepted with Mr Garcia (apprentice Robbie Dolan), but says he won't run unless the track is really wet, and the impressive Mugatoo (Kerrin McEvoy), who is most likely heading to Monday's Canberra Cup (2000m) instead.
Aliferous (Avdulla) is a definite runner in the Aspiration Quality (1600m) following her excellent first-up second to the talented Master Of Wine in a Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m) on soft ground at Rosehill on February 22.
"No reason why she won't run well again," Lees said. "After this race, she will go on to the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill in a fortnight."