Tuesday, 17 April 2012: Classy Newcastle three-year-old Uate has been set for the rich series of provincial Guineas races following his fine return to racing at Rosehill last month.
 | Uate
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
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Uate 
just failed to record a first-up win at his first start October when he was narrowly held out by Title in the Maurice McCarten Stakes over 1100m at Rosehill on March 24.
The McCarten Stakes has proven to be a top form race as third placegetter
Zaratone came out at his next start to win the G3 Sebring Stakes at Rosehill, beating subsequent Group One TJ Smith Stakes winner
Master Of Design into third place.
The first-up performance by Uate was a relief for trainer Kris Lees after setbacks last year restricted the Ad Valorem colt's spring campaign to just two starts in Sydney and Melbourne.
Last season Uate rated among the best of his age wins at his first three starts including the G3 Skyline Stakes before a second to
Helmet in the G1 Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick.
Lees had given Uate, named after the star Newcastle Knights rugby league winger, a long and patient build up to his return with the three-year-old running in the three barrier trials in February and March before he resumed at Rosehill.
While there were some attractive options for Uate during the current Sydney carnival, Lees has preferred to aim him at three of the richest provincial races in Australia over the next five weeks starting with the $200,000 Gosford Guineas over 1200m on April 22.
He will then go to the $150,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on May 5 and finish with the $500,000 Scone Guineas (1400m) on May 19.
The Gosford Guineas will be a strong race with Gai Waterhouse deciding it will be the next target for her classy filly
Hallowell Belle following her fine third in last Saturday's Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.
