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Kris Lees chases a second Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday, and is confident Mugatoo will back up well in a “top race”.
Beaten Doncaster Mile favorite Mugatoo (Hugh Bowman) is fourth favorite in a star-studded renewal of the $4m Group 1 Queen Elizabeth (2000m), which the leading Newcastle trainer won five years ago with the classy Kiwi mare Lucia Valentina.
All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo had his chance when a close fourth to Cascadian in last Saturday's $3m Doncaster Mile, but nonetheless ran well as, with 56kg topweight, he conceded between 3 and 5.5kg to the placegetters Cascadian (53kg), Icebath (50.5kg) and Dalasan (53kg).
He now goes to weight-for-age, and steps up to a very suitable 2000m, at which he comfortably won last year's Canberra Cup.
Mugatoo also ran a great fourth, after covering plenty of ground, to Queen Elizabeth rival Sir Dragonet in last year's Group 1 wfa Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
Lees has been delighted how Mugatoo has bounced out of the Doncaster, and has no qualms about backing him up on Saturday.
"He stretched his legs on the Beaumont (inside) track this morning, and is in great order," he said.
"I've got no doubt Mugatoo will back up well.
"The Queen Elizabeth is a top race for sure and with the expected pacemaker Samadoubt a scratching, it's going to be very interesting who takes up the running."
Lees has not ruled out continuing Mugatoo's campaign and going to Queensland for the $700,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) – also at weight-for-age – on May 22.
He won Brisbane's wfa feature four years ago with Sense Of Occasion (Corey Brown).
. Lees has withdrawn widely drawn Evalina to rely on Wandabaa (Jason Collett) in Saturday's Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) against her own sex on Day 2 of The Championships.
"Wandabaa has been luckless in both runs this campaign, and is in great shape," he said.
"She is going really well and, with some rain forecast tomorrow, the cut in the ground will certainly suit her.
"This is her chance to break back into the winning list."
. Lees won't have a runner in Saturday's $2m Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m), and has provided an update on the three horses he had hoped to start.
"Mustajeer is spelling, whilst Collide unfortunately has pulled up with a hind leg problem from last Saturday's Chairman's Quality at Randwick, and won't race again for some time," he said.
"I intend spacing last year's Cup placegetter Raheen House's runs and keeping him for the wetter tracks."
. Promising filly I Say Hello, who at a midweek metropolitan meeting held at Hawkesbury yesterday clinched her third win from only four starts, will be given her chance in stakes company in the next few weeks.
She will contest either the Group 3 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m) against her own age and sex at Randwick on Saturday week, or the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) – also for three-year-olds – a week later.
. Lees will start both his mares Zaniah (Andrew Mallyon) and Iconic Star (Robbie Fradd) in the Listed Ascot Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
"It's a good opportunity to chase some black type with them," he said.
He has decided to remove a tongue tie from last spring's Melbourne Cup carnival placegetter Zaniah for her Queensland debut.