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Lees Upbeat About Upscale's Chances

3 minute read

Trainer Kris Lees has warned that the Rosehill prospects of his smart mare Upscale on Saturday should not be judged on her previous 1200m performance.

Upscale
Upscale Picture: Racing and Sports

Dual acceptor Upscale (Hugh Bowman) lines up for her second start this campaign over 1200m against her own sex.

She is regarded as a risk over 1200m as her four wins to date from only nine starts have been at 900m and 1100m three times including two at Rosehill.

Upscale finished ninth to Kinshachi at Randwick in December at her only previous start over 1200m.

“I guess the 1200m might be a risk for her, but you can’t judge her on her only run so far at the trip,” Lees said.

“She was at the end of her campaign then, and was coming off a very hard run when she scored narrowly at her previous start over 1100m at Rosehill.

“Upscale is a stronger mare now, and I feel she can handle the 1200m.”

Lees also accepted with Upscale in the Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1100m at Rosehill but chose the longer race against her own sex.

The Exceed And Excel mare resumed when an excellent fourth to Kudero over 1100m at Randwick on May 27 when she came along inferior ground on the inside in the straight.

Upscale’s chances tomorrow have been helped by four withdrawals reducing the field to nine but she still has to cope with the promising Test The World, who has won four of her only six starts.

Upscale carries the same colors as G1 winner Clearly Innocent, with whom both Lees and Bowman have been successfully associated with at the recent Scone and Brisbane carnivals.

Bowman has ridden Upscale only once when she led and was beaten narrowly when fifth over 1100m at Canterbury in 2015.

Lees also starts Feelin The Love (Glyn Schofield) in Upscale’s race.

The former New Zealand mare has drawn the rails, and was responsible for a strong-finishing third to In Times Of War over 1200m at Randwick on May 27.

Tommy Berry rejoins Lees’ last start winner Just Dreaming when the 3YO filly races against her own age over 1400m.

Apprentice Rachel King partnered the Snitzel filly in her tenacious Rosehill success over the same course on June 3 when she carried 57kg; 1kg less than this assignment.

King was required for main rival Arbeitsam, prepared by her masters Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

“I probably would have claimed again if Rachel was available, but nonetheless am happy to have Tommy back on the filly again,” Lees said.

“He has won on her, and she is strong enough to carry the 58kg. She has done well since the Rosehill win.”

Berry rode Just Dreaming when she won at Wyong on April 27 at her second start this campaign.

Lees’ other Rosehill representative is Raido (Blake Spriggs) in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1100m); the same event in which Upscale also was an acceptor.

Raido has been unplaced at all five starts since scoring over 1100m at Canterbury in January under 59kg.

He carried 61kg when fifth to Petrossian in the Winter Dash (1000m) at Tamworth on June 6.
Racing and Sports

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