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Setbacks Hit Lees Carnival Team

3 minute read

Trainer Kris Lees has lost Artlee and the promising filly Miss Fabulass from his autumn carnival team and also has concerns with his classy mare Invincible Gem following her fine return to racing at Randwick on Saturday.

Lees was struggling to get Artlee back to form but a vet inspection after his failure in last Friday’s Newcastle Newmarket at Broadmeadow revealed that the gelding is a roarer.

Lees has advised stewards that an endoscopic examination of Artlee after the Newmarket confirmed that the gelding will now require corrective surgery for the respiratory problem.

Invincible Gem
Invincible Gem Picture: Racing and Sports

Lees also reported that Invincible Gem was found to be sore after her impressive first-up third in the G1 Canterbury Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

Lees reported the issue to stewards who have ruled that the mare will require a veterinary clearance prior to her next start.

The exciting prospect Miss Fabulass has been spelled after a minor fitness issue when she had a temperature spike last week.

“It lingered and we decided not to take any risks with her, and pull the pin on the autumn,” Lees said.

“It’s terrible luck but I’m confident she will come back after a spell and resume her career.”

The blueblood youngster by unbeaten English champion Frankel from Lees’ former star mare Samantha Miss made an impressive start to her career when she flew to the line for a placing over 1100m at Rosehill on February 28.

Lees was planning to start Miss Fabulass at Rosehill on Saturday in the G3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) in a bid to qualify her for a Golden Slipper Stakes start.

Lees, fresh from a Group double at Randwick on Saturday with Karavali and Sugar Bella and a record breaking win by Guard Of Honour in the Camarena Quality at Canberra on Sunday, has confirmed that his dual G1 winner Le Romain will resume in the G1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday week.

Off the scene since last September, Le Romain has had two barrier trials and appeared in a gallop between races at the Newmarket meeting last Friday.

Le Romain’s target is the G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 21 where he wil aim to go one better than his second in last year’s race beind Tivaci.

Classy Group winner Savanna Amour will be directed to the Adelaide and Brisbane carnivals in May after suffering a training setback.

Trainer Chris Meagher said the 4YO mare will have to bypass the Sydney carnival after suffering from a virus.

The virus affected Savanna Amour after she contested a barrier trial at Cranbourne on February 19 but Meagher is confident she will be in top condition for the Adelaide and Queensland carnivals.
Racing and Sports

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