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A pair of European imports will spearhead trainer Kris Lees' four-pronged assault at Randwick on Saturday.
A pair of European imports will spearhead trainer Kris Lees' four-pronged assault at Randwick on Saturday.
Lees will start four-year-old French mare Jardaa and English import Timetable in the ATC Foundation Membership Offer Hcp (1800m).
While Timetable has been racing in Australia for several seasons, Jardaa only made her Australian debut last month.
She was stakes-placed over 1800m in the Listed Prix Delamarre at Longchamp last October but at her first local start finished second last to Classics over 1400m at Rosehill on June 18.
"I was a little disappointed with her first run but she raced a bit upside down and she overraced early," Lees said.
"She has shown enough in her trackwork to indicate she goes OK.
"Going off her previous run here she'll probably need this outing again, until she gets over more distance, but I am expecting her to run much better on Saturday."
Former Magic Millions co-owner Rob Ferguson is the managing owner of Jardaa who notched two wins and four placings in 11 starts in France.
Timetable has been in Australia since 2009, initially under Lee Freedman who won races at Morphettville and Caulfield with the gelding before he was sold and transferred to Lees last winter.
He has raced twice this campaign and showed big improvement last start to finish a half-head second to Chameleon over 1600m at Randwick.
"It looks a nice enough race for him on Saturday," Lees said.
"He can mix his form but if he can repeat his last run he'll be thereabouts."
Lees will also start consistent filly Next The Universe at Randwick and has opted to drop her back in distance as she chases an overdue city win.
She has been beaten a half-length or less at her past three starts, twice finishing runner-up at Randwick before her last-start fourth to Beg over 1400m at Rosehill.
The three-year-old has not won since scoring on debut at Newcastle in June 2010 but has eight minor placings from her 13 starts.
She tackles the ATC Foundation Memberships On Sale Now Hcp (1200m) while Lotseventy rounds out Lees' team in the Rob Woodruff Hcp (1200m).
Lotseventy was a solid last-start fourth to Gybe and meets that filly 3.5kg better, although he has drawn the outside barrier in 12.
