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KRIS Lees is hoping he can get another success on the board with Enchanted Heart before she goes up for auction next month.
Already an eight-times winner, Enchanted Heart lines up in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Lees accepted with three horses, but has withdrawn Tavisan and will rely on Enchanted Heart (James McDonald) and Animate (Willie Pike).
Australian Bloodstock has decided to offer three well-performed mares – Enchanted Heart, Wandabaa and Lunakorn – at an Inglis digital sale in mid-August.
Enchanted Heart was to have run at Royal Randwick last Saturday in the July Sprint (1100m), but the meeting had to be called after only one race had been held.
Whilst the Shamus Award mare, who will turn six years on Monday, has been unplaced at her last two starts in Queensland, they were in Group 1 and 2 company on firmer ground at Eagle Farm.
"This is certainly a more suitable assignment," Lees said this morning.
"Enchanted Heart loves the heavy ground, and has conditions to suit.
"She has been a wonderful performer for her connections, winning eight of her 26 starts.
"Her only two starts at Rosehill have produced a win and a second, and I'm sure she is ready to run well.
"Animate is coming off a break and though he will most likely find the 1100m too short, he can pull out a good run fresh."
Lees has withdrawn the consistent Snowzone from the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m) to rely on accomplished wet tracker Tawfiq Lass (Jason Collett).
Tawfiq Lass, who also races in the Australian Bloodstock colours, is seeking a hat-trick, having scored at Canterbury on July 7 and again on the Kensington track 15 days later.
On both occasions, the tracks were rated a "Heavy 10", and Rosehill this morning was listed as a "Heavy 9".
"Tawfiq Lass is going great, and deserves her chance to have a crack at winning a Saturday race in town," Lees said.
Before notching her recent city victories, the mare's previous four wins were all on country tracks.
French Marine (Tim Clark) also represents the stable at Rosehill, in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m).
"He is a very genuine horse, dropping in grade on his last run and has had a little freshen with a nice tick-over trial at Muswellbrook last week," Lees said.
"He handles the conditions, and no doubt will be very competitive."
Lees has two runners at the corresponding Eagle Farm meeting tomorrow, and Jim Byrne will partner both.
Hellavadancer contests the 2YO Handicap (1400m), and Endorphins is in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (2400m).
"Hellavadancer bolted in at Gunnedah last time out and, whilst this is obviously a decent rise in class, she is a lightly-raced filly who is continuing to improve and not without a chance," Lees said.
"Endorphins is racing really well in Queensland, and went close to winning a Benchmark 72 at this track a fortnight ago.
"She has drawn well, and I don't consider the extra 200m will be a problem for her."
. Lees has nominated last year's All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo and recent acquisition Hosier for next Thursday's $150,000 Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) at the Showcase meeting.
The Cup will be run under Quality conditions with a maximum 62kg topweight and 54kg minimum.
The Coffs feature also carries eligibility for the first two placegetters for the inaugural $2m The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.
