3 minute read
It’s blinkers for Asharani on the Kensington track on Saturday with Kris Lees hoping the gear change will help her recapture form and earn a crack at a forthcoming stakes race.
An impressive winner of the Gosford heat (run on her home track at Newcastle) of the Provincial Chamnpionships, Asharani failed to flatter in the $400,000 Final at Royal Randwick on April 11 and finished 13th behind Through The Cracks, who had been runner-up to her in the March 19 qualifier.
"I blamed the heavy track for her disappointing performance in the Final," Lees said this afternoon.
"Her previous few runs were excellent, and I've decided to put blinkers on her, especially as she is going to need some luck from an awkward draw.
"Asharani has raced only once on the Kensington track when narrowly beaten over 1550m in June last year.
"I want to see her perform well on Saturday to go ahead and run her in a stakes race (the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic, 1400m) on the second day of the Scone Cup carnival to be run at Rosehill in a fortnight."
Glen Boss will be a new rider for Asharani in Saturday's Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m), and is one of five runners for her trainer at the meeting.
His others are Witherspoon (1000m Benchmark 72 Handicap), Itz Lily and Peaceful (1300m Benchmark 78 Handicap for fillies and mares), and Juventus (1550m Benchmark 78 Handicap).
Hugh Bowman rides Juventus, James McDonald is on Witherspoon, and apprentice Robbie Dolan and Nash Rawiller partner Itz Lily and Peaceful respectively.
"Juventus looks to be the pick of my team, as he was impressive on this track at his last start and has worked well since," Lees said.
"But all the same he is going to need some luck from a tricky draw.
"Witherspoon will run well if she jumps cleanly and can dictate out in front. She races best when she can do that.
"Itz Lily and Peaceful both also have gear changes in their race.
"Itz Lily will race in a tongue tie and probably will need this run, but her chances will be improved if there is more rain.
"Peaceful's two runs back have been even, and I am putting blinkers back on her."
. Lees has four acceptors at his home track meeting on Saturday (the rail is out 9m), but one of them, Perfect Peace, is also an acceptor for Muswellbrook tomorrow and he will decide in the morning where she heads.
His definite Newcastle starters are Controlthewitness (1890m Conditional Benchmark 70 Handicap), Sian (1200m Maiden Plate for colts, geldings and entires) and Always On Show (1200m Maiden Plate for fillies and mares).
Sian (Andrew Gibbons) and Always On Show (Christian Reith) are two-year-olds making their debuts against older horses.
"Both are nice youngsters," Lees said. "Sian will wear blinkers and I'm sure will be better for this run.
"Always On Show will be suited once she gets over more ground, but nonetheless I expect her to run well on Saturday.
"Controlthewitness has been improved by two runs back, and has a good chance on his latest fourth at Wyong when he made ground at the end."
Sam Clenton, who won the closer at Wyong today on Darleb for Lees, rides Controlthewitness.