Weight Scale Biggest Handicap For Lees Duo
- Friday, 27 March 2015 07:32
Kris Lees concedes the weight scale of Saturday's Emancipation Stakes favours Catkins but it won't stop him taking her on with two in-form mares.
Under the set weights and penalties conditions of the 1500-metre race, Catkins will carry 57kg, the same as the Lees-trained Hera and three kilos more than stablemate Scorpio Queen.
"I think all of them are a little close to Catkins in the weights but you can't shy away from one horse," Lees said.
"Both of mine, their last two runs have been their best runs for the stable so they're going in in good form."
Hera has been scratched from a $100,000 fillies and mares race in Brisbane in preference to the Rosehill assignment and will be ridden by Damian Browne.
The former New Zealander turned in her best performance since coming to Australia when she ran a close fifth in the Coolmore Classic over Saturday's course and distance.
Scorpio Queen has also raised the hopes of the stable after beating all but Laser Hawk in the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket last start.
Despite those form lines, the two haven't found favour with punters and are the outsiders of the Emancipation Stakes field with Catkins a dominant $1.80 favourite.
On an afternoon when Lees will bid for Group One success with Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and Caulfield Cup placegetter Lucia Valentina in The BMW, he also has Slow Pace looking to resurrect his autumn in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).
The French import has finished down the track in two recent runs but has shown signs he could improve at Rosehill.
"His work at home suggests he could run first three or four here but the form guide would suggest he can't," Lees said.
"We'll see but he will appreciate the sting out of the track."
