3 minute read
A zest for racing is what Kris Lees wants to see from his near $4m earner Mugatoo in his long-awaited return at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Off the scene since the Doomben Cup in May last year, the now eight-year-old lines up in the 1400m Spring Preview Handicap, with the trainer's gun apprentice Dylan Gibbons' 3kg city claim lessening the gelding's weight to 62kg.
Lees, understandably, is guarded about Mugatoo's return and says his performance tomorrow will tell him a lot about future prospects.
"It's not a comeback yet because he hasn't raced since the Doomben Cup, and he has to show that he still has a zest for racing," he said this morning.
"He hit the line well in his Scone trial late last month, and there's no doubt he is the best horse in tomorrow's race as his weight indicates.
"Provided he still has that zest to race and finishes off nicely and pulls up well, I'll be happy with that.
"Anything else would be a bonus."
In spite of Mugatoo's lengthy absence, market assessors are not taking huge risks with him.
TAB.com.au today listed him as a $6.50 fourth favorite in the small field of eight, undoubtedly because of his class and the fact that he has won three times fresh up in the past – though not after such a long time off the scene.
It has been a herculean effort to get last year's heroic All-Star Mile winner back to racing.
Mugatoo 's distant last to Zaaki in the Group 1 wfa Doomben Cup (2000m) was a disaster.
Not only did he sustain a serious tendon injury, but also had to undergo a throat operation afterwards.
"The long rehab for his tendon enabled him plenty of time to recover from his throat surgery," Lees said.
"It has been quite a process to get him back, and I feel he really turned the corner in his Scone trial and have been happy with him since.
"But obviously tomorrow will tell us more."
Lees also runs the mares Lunakorn and Tawfiq Lass in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
Dylan Gibbons rides Lunakorn, who is one of three Australian Bloodstock mares (the others being Wandabaa and Enchanted Heart) to be offered at an Inglis online sale next week, and James McDonald partners Tawfiq Lass.
"Lunakorn ran well after a break when fourth at Canterbury earlier in the month, but doesn't need any more rain," Lees said.
"Tawfiq Lass is in career best form, and happy to be able to get McDonald to ride her even though she goes up 2.5kg returning to racing against her own sex.
"She has been up for a long time, but is so tough and genuine."
. Lees has only one representative at the corresponding Eagle Farm meeting, and is keen on the chances of Hellavadancer (Jim Byrne) in the 3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m).
The Hellbent filly has raced only four times for a runaway Gunnedah 1250m win on July 12 before an excellent fourth (beaten just over a length) to Billionair Baby in a 2YO Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on July 30.
"Hellavadancer should be hard to beat on that run, provided she can get the extra 100m and I feel she will," Lees said.
"Jim rode her last time and knows her now, and she has a soft draw."
With the withdrawal of second favorite Russian Warrior, Hellavadancer has tightened to a dominant $1.85 favorite.
