Import Age Of Sail could emerge as a Newcastle Cup prospect if he continues on the path trainer Kris Lees hopes in the next month or so and a win at Rosehill on Saturday would do that aim no harm. Not surprisingly the Newcastle trainer is always on the lookout for potential prospects for his hometown Cup, run in September, a race he finally won for the first time with Mugatoo in 2020. In Age Of Sail he believes he has a horse with potential and with two runs under his belt going into the Agency Real Estate Handicap (2400m) the Frankel gelding has his chance to stand up.
“He’s a horse we’ve always had a bit of time for since he’s arrived in Australia,’’ Lees said. “He’s run well in every start he’s had, only the one win, he’s a progressive stayer. “I’m hopeful he’s going to turn into a lightweight Newcastle Cup sort of horse so from that point of view he would want to be winning if not running well. “He still has improvement to come but that could be the style of horse he is.” The five-year-old, $3.40 with TAB on Thursday, won at his Australian debut back in January and has placed in his three other outings for Lees. After a first-up third at Eagle Farm over 1800m in June he went a month between runs and onto a heavy track for a close third behind Strathtay at the Randwick 2000m two weeks ago, coming from well back and making his run near the outside fence. They meet again at Rosehill with only a 0.5kg swing in Age Of Sail’s favour after Strathtay’s connections elected for a 3kg claim but Lees said his horse has two crucial advantages this time around. “I was guarded on the heavy so I’m looking forward to seeing him on a better surface on Saturday,’’ he said. “He’s jumping to 2400m third run in so we’re mindful of that but he will run well. “I’m glad he’s got a soft gate, that will give him his chance to get an economical run and that will give him his chance.”
Lees unveils another import in Lord Of Biscay in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m) and there seems a quiet confidence that he’ll at least be a horse spoken about as one to follow post-race. The lightly raced four-year-old has only had five starts and Lees has held him back from some recent engagements waiting for improving conditions. “He’s a very nice horse, the boys are of an opinion he may not love real testing ground so we’ve waited,’’ he said. “Thankfully he’s drawn well so he should get a nice enough run. “He’s a horse that might get out to a mile in time and you often find that type sprints well fresh at 1200m. He wouldn’t want it any shorter but he’ll run well and it’ll set up nicely for future runs.” Stablemate Oakfield Duke is probably closer to the end of his preparation than the start but Lees saw no reason not to give the in-form grey his shot at a $160,000 race. He’s had 11 runs in his well spaced out campaign, his first for Lees, and won two of his last three in midweek city grade. “He’s really found his form now. He put a few wins together early in his career and got up in the benchmark quickly,’’ he said. “He has been up a long time and now we’re testing him at Saturday grade deep into his preparation. “When they are in form, such good prizemoney on offer, you’ve got to give him his chance.”
Kris Lees on Imposant (race 4): “She was really good the other day, she gives the impression she will be suited at the trip. She’s another with a soft gate and the right style of run so she will get her chance. She’s a bit more seasoned now.”
On Zoe’s Promise (race 8): “She’s back to a more realistic target, she gets no weight on her back, makes her own luck up on the speed and handles all surfaces so she should run well there.”
Photo Credit: Steve Hart