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Decision on Almania's weekend race deferred to Saturday by Kris Lees

3 minute read

A decision on a weekend start for dual venue acceptor Almania has been deferred until Saturday morning.

Almania
Almania  Picture: Media Release

Kris Lees has the import in both the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday, and Listed Canberra Cup over the same distance on Sunday.

"I've got an open mind on both races, though he has drawn a little better at Randwick," Lees said this afternoon.

"Dylan Gibbons will ride him wherever he goes, and I'll wait until just before the 7.30am scratching deadline for Randwick on Saturday morning before making a decision.

"Almania  is going well and I'm sure he will run boldly in whatever race we choose."

At only his second run back from a lengthy break, the eight-year-old was narrowly beaten by More Felons in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens a fortnight ago.

"Almania has trained on well since that run," Lees added.

Irrespective of where Almania goes, Kinloch will represent the stable at the big Canberra meeting.

Lees has withdrawn him from tomorrow's Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) to contest the Listed National Sprint (1400m), and Dylan Gibbons will ride him.

"I feel the Canberra race is a more suitable assignment," Lees said.

Kinloch brilliantly won his first two starts this campaign before finishing ninth to Welwal in a Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago when he got way out of his ground and was beaten only four and a half lengths.

Stablemate Ucalledit is topweight for the National Sprint, but will line up in tomorrow's Newcastle Stakes at home.

Lees has a stack of runners at Saturday's Randwick Guineas meeting, with dual representation in two races.

Yankee Hussel (Sam Clipperton) and Blackcomb (Gibbons) contest the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m), and Razeta (Jason Collett) and Powerful Peg (Gibbons) line up in the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m).

"Yankee Hussel was freshened after winning three in a row (two of them in town) and can be competitive, whilst Blackcomb has taken improvement from one run back and is drawn nicely," Lees said.

"Razeta is trialling allright for her first-up assignment and has an inside draw. Powerful Peg is off a little freshen and tick-over trial, but things are going to need to go her way from the outside barrier."

Lees' other Randwick runners are Miss Busslinger (Group 2 Reisling Stakes, 1200m), and Infancy (Listed Fireball Stakes, 1100m).

"Miss Busslinger raced well in two Queensland runs, and this will be a good test for her at Group 2 level at set weights against her own sex," Lees said.

"She is promising, but we're not thinking Golden Slipper Stakes with her.

"It's also a good test for Infancy tackling Listed grade, and she has also had a tick-over trial since finishing third on the Kensington track in late January."


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