3 minute read
A decision to save Deemed from yesterday's meeting at Gosford may pay dividends when he lines up in the first at Randwick today.
The Kris Lees-trained gelding would have started favourite in yesterday's race but on the heavy conditions in today's Champagne Bar Handicap (race 1) on the Kensington track does look one of the best winning hopes here as well.
Deemed resumed at Gosford over 1200m from a wide gate and after settling midfield hit the line well with a fast finishing second, beaten only a head.
He then stepped up to 1300m on this track where he drew an inside gate and drifted well back.
But he came with a big finish, running on into third behind Bereft.
Up to 1500m at Hawkesbury, he sat third in the heavy ground and worked home strongly, scoring a half length win over Barriers.
Last start, over 1580m at Canterbury, he drew the inside and settled fourth before again working to the line well, finishing runner-up, albeit 4.3 lengths from easy winner Silent Reward.
Today's race is no easier but he drops in weight and leading rider Corey Brown takes over.
He has drawn away from the fence which may in fact be in his favour and he is a heavy track winner.
The trip suits and on his last run he looks hard to beat again.
Lees has an excellent hand in the race, also saddling up the topweight Namsarai.
The gelding resumed over 1200m at Gosford and sat close to the speed before going down narrowly.
He then went to 1350m at Wyong and proved too good, sitting off the speed before darting back to the inside and running on in the heavy ground to score.
Next start was here over 1300m where he sat just off the speed and again worked home strongly to finish runner-up behind Bereft.
His stablemate Deemed was 1.5 lengths away in third and does meet Namsarai worse at the weights this time.
Last start Namsarai dropped back to 1250m at Canterbury and although beaten for speed early really hit the line hard to score a half length win.
Today he carries the same weight after the claim for Sam Clipperton and from the inside will be close to the pace over the longer journey.
He has the right form credentials and relishes the soft ground but perhaps his biggest query is the trip.
The small field and lack of pressure early though should see him give a big sight.
He's yet to win beyond 1350m and has had five tries at this trip for just two placings.
Sparton, prepared by Chris Waller, may be worth another chance on his run here two back.
Fresh-up over 1300m here he sat fifth in the run but cruised away to score by almost four lengths in a stylish win.
He then raced over 1580m at Canterbury and after sitting second was not only no match for Silent Reward but faded to finish a well held fourth.
It was a disappointing effort but he will be fitter for that run and although yet to win beyond 1300m has always looked like he'll get further.
He is unknown in the conditions as well but on his run here two back rates highly.
Bellissimo has been racing below par this campaign but has a good record at the trip, likes the heavy ground and is well placed with the claim in this easier grade.
The small field suits and he'll give a big sight.