3 minute read
Former Atherton restaurant owners Michael and Maggie Lee are daring to dream of potential Group racing glory with brilliant sprinter Yes Dream.
The four-year-old gelding's Cluden Park victory on Friday in near-record time has ignited a spark which they hope will turn into a flickering flame over the next 12 months.
The exhilarating win is the latest of the galloper's unbeaten seven runs at the track.
"Who knows where we will be with this horse in the future," trainer Michael quipped.
The Dream Ahead-sired steed staved off all challenges of the best assembled field of sprinters in North Queensland for many years on Friday.
He carved out the 1000 metres in 55.65 seconds to end a five start North Queensland winning streak of Smart Image.
"He's an absolute fighting tiger and honestly I believe he has still yet to hit his peak," Michael and Maggie Lee said.
"To do what he did first-up from a four-month break speaks volumes for his sheer class and will to win.
"There's a lot of bridges to cross yet but if he can continue on his winning way I really believe he can match it with the best allowing for natural growth and strength.
"He's certainly come back to racing this preparation stronger and with a determined attitude to the task ahead."
Yes Dream, bred by Michael from his great broodmare Platinum Ruby, has won nine of his 13 starts, including victory at Eagle Farm in a short campaign in Brisbane last spring.
"Unfortunately, he wasn't at his best in Brisbane after a tough program up here," Lee said.
"But, we know he will get a strong 1300 metres and his next assignment is likely to be the tough Cleveland Bay Handicap during Townsville's winter carnival in July.
"I don't know what his immediate future is because I need to place him properly."
Yes Dream carried 59.5kg and regular rider Lacey Morrison as equal top weight with Smart Image after apprentice Krysten Swaffer claimed her 2kg allowance on Friday.
Unlike his previous start when Smart Image led throughout, he missed the start slightly on Friday and Swaffer settled back off Yes Dream until they both took off after leader Molongle Surprise at the 300 metre mark.
In a stirring struggle in the straight, both grabbed Molongle Surprise near the post with Yes Dream getting the verdict in a blanket finish.
Cairns co-trainer Trevor Rowe - who prepares Smart Image - was one of the first to congratulate Lee on his win.
Lee is a self-taught trainer.
"I didn't know much about the training caper in the early days but leading Tolga trainer Roy Chillemi told me to 'just learn as you go'," Lee said.
"His words keep ringing in my ears.
"I also swap a lot of banter and ideas with trainer Ricky Ludwig with whom we formed a close friendship since he moved up to North Queensland about eight years ago."
The Lee family ran the Pagoda Chinese Restaurant in Atherton for more than 20 years before selling the business.
"But, we've retired for good now and concentrate on the horses," the trainer said.
The Lees are under no illusions that it is a long road ahead from the lush pastures of their Atherton farming property to the hallowed turf of Doomben and Eagle Farm but the flame will keep burning.
