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A 35-day freshen up has done wonders for the Stephen Lee trained Right To Roam heading into Friday’s $25,000 Casino RSM Beef Week Cup (1400m).
“He’s a horse that likes his runs spaced,” Ballina based Lee said. “He likes to be fresh and he is. I’m very happy with him. He’s jumping out of his skin.
“He’s in good order.”
Lee figured out last campaign the former Tony McEvoy trained six-year-old Starcraft gelding likes time inbetween runs, although he has backed up previously and won.
That happened last start when he scored an impressive 2.3 length win over 1400m at Lismore on April 22. He was backing up after failing at Doomben on April 13 following a 27-day freshen up but there were excuses.
“He swallowed his tongue at Doomben that’s why he didn’t perform,” Lee said. “I put a tongue tie on him at Lismore and look what he did.
“It was a good win at Lismore coming from back in the field. He won very well.”
Right To Roam is raced by Brian Kee and his wife and was purchased as a tried horse from McEvoy for a meagre $3000.
“I think he’s won about $60,000 since he’s been with us. He’s done a good job,” Lee added. “He’s a big gross doing horse. He’s as quiet as a lamb and easy to work with.”
Lee has won four races with Right To Roam.
Lee had him entered for the Gold Coast last Saturday but scratched the gelding after he drew wide to be saved for the Beef Week Cup.
Unfortunately Right To Roam has again drawn wide in gate 14 but will come in three barriers if the emergencies don’t get a run in the capacity field.
The wide barrier isn’t a major concern for Lee, more so the state of the Casino track.
“I’m concerned it might be a rock hard track (currently rated a good three). I don’t want to run him if it’s rock hard. I’m looking ahead to the Maclean Cup at Grafton during their carnival and I don’t want to bugger the horse,” Lee said. “In saying that I think Casino, coming up the hill, will suit the horse.
“He’s a horse that gets back but finishes strongly. Hopefully they’ll run along up front to give him his chance.”
In-form Matthew McGuren takes the reins.