Kris Lees will be breathing easier himself if a gear change has the desired effect on Graff in Saturday’s inaugural $1m The Hunter (1300m) at Broadmeadow.
Lees is playing on home turf with four definite runners – and five in the unlikely event fourth emergency Miss Fabulass secures a start – and says Graff (Brenton Avdulla) is the logical pick of his team, having the best of the draw.
Graff ($3.70 TAB fixed odds favorite) has barrier eight in a capacity field of 15, and will start from six if the remaining three emergencies (including Miss Fabulass, $26) do not get into the field.
Similarly, Le Romain ($10) will start from gate 11, Tactical Advantage ($9.50) from nine, and Invincible Gem ($16) from gate 10.
Lees, eager to get talented four-year-old Graff back into winning form, has decided to race him in a cross-over nose band, believing it will help him become more relaxed with his breathing.
“I’m not definitely certain Graff held his breath the last time he raced, but suspect that might have been the case,” Lees said this afternoon.
“He was a little distressed afterwards.”
Graff hasn’t raced since finishing fourth (beaten only 2.7 lengths) of five runners to Brutal in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 5.
The talented four-year-old has started 12 times for three wins and as many placings, and his last 10 (including The Everest which is not yet afford black type status) have all been in Group company.
Lees put the new gear on Graff in a 1000m barrier trial on the Beaumont Track on track on October 30. He began well, was eased to sit fourth on the inside and relaxed nicely before stretching out strongly to defeat stablemate El Dorado Dreaming (who was placed at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday in the Group 2 Hot Danish Stakes) and Hunter rival Bon Amis.
“He seemed to appreciate the cross-over nose band and trialled really well,” Lees said. “With the better draw of my four definite runners, he has to be our best chance.
“I was pleased to see Le Romain run so well at Rosehill last time after a freshen up. He really gave it a go.
“His draw might seem disappointing, but I’m not too concerned because he doesn’t like being cluttered up amongst horses.
“Tactical Advantage arrived back from Melbourne after winning over the straight 1200m course at Flemington on Cup day and deserves his chance in a race such as this.
“He might find the 1300m as far as he wants, but couldn’t be in better condition.
“Invincible Gem has been freshened and is nice and bright. She trialled well at Wyong last month and has a good first-up record, having won twice and been placed three times from seven attempts.”
Invincible Gem won the Group 3 NJC Spring Stakes (1600m) when it was run at Randwick in 2017, and her rider that day, Brenton Avdulla, again teams with Lees in this year’s renewal for three-year-olds.
He partners another filly, $26 chance Game Of Thorns, who will take her place in the field after Lees wasn’t certain before nominations were taken he would start her.
“It’s a rise in class for her, but I’ve got no doubt the 1600m will suit her,” Lees said.
“She might be able to sneak a place.”
Lees is not certain to run Miss Fabulass (Nash Rawiller) in the Benchmark 88 Handicap over The Hunter 1300m even if she missed out on a start in the latter.
Ironically, she drew the rails in The Hunter, but 13 in a field of 14 in the Benchmark 88.
“I’m doubtful about running her because of the wide draw,” Lees said. “We will probably rely on Star Reflection (Hugh Bowman).
“She has had a trial (on the Beaumont track on October 30) since racing at Randwick 18 days earlier.
“I would have preferred a bit more give in the track for her, but at least she has drawn well.”
– Lees Racing
