Rising star Convergent set to join stablemate Glorious Moments in spring carnival team
Glorious Moments produced an eye-catching performance to salute last weekend at Royal Randwick with the Lee brothers set to put stakes races in their crosshairs this spring.
They are hopeful of getting Convergent to a Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) via races like the Group 3 Wyong Cup (2100m) on September 5 and Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 19.
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It's a mark of the high opinion the Lees hold for Convergent, which has so far only been restricted to two starts for a win and a second.
'I think he will run 2000m plus and even two miles although that's yet to be seen but the way he comes out with his head on his chest, that's just a sign they will stay all day,' Greg Lee said.
'What makes him a good horse, I know he will run 2400m, but he can sprint.'
The Lees have spaced Convergent's run during his debut preparation with the son of Impending winning on debut at Randwick Kensington on April 25 and then running second in a Midway race at Rosehill on June 7.
He spent a couple of weeks in the paddock after his last start before trialling twice in preparation for Saturday's Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).
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Convergent will be faced with the challenge of returning on heavy ground but Lee expects he will be up to the task.
'I think he will handle the going,' he said.
'Truthfully I think he is a swimmer but it yet to be seen although he has shown us signs of it.
'He has been out in the paddock for a weeks and come back with a couple of trials to give him a break because they can't continue.
'Adam (Hyeronimus) rode him in the trial and said he's improved since the last time he rode him, which is a good start.'
Convergent is a $7 chance in a race headlined by Denman Star ($3.10 favourite).
It will be another two weeks before punters see the impressive Glorious Moments back at the races with the stable set to pick out a stakes race in the not too distant future for the gelding.
'When he gets over further he will get better but he's only had the four starts,' Lee said.
'We haven't locked in a race for him but we will have a look after he runs next on August 16 and then we will go from there whether we will stay here with him or go down there.'
FIRST LANDING HITS HIGHWAY AGAIN
Ex-Sydney galloper First Landing has been a revelation since moving to Port Macquarie with trainer John Sprague now hoping he can deliver his first Highway winner at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
First Landing was trained at Rosehill previously with Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes but moved to Sprague in the winter and made an immediate impact.
The son of Deep Field won each of his first two starts for the new trainer before coming to town and finishing runner-up at his next two, including last time in Highway grade.
'It takes a lot of time to go across them but you got to be lucky now and again,' Sprague said.
'We have only had the four starts with him for two firsts and two seconds.'
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'We were going to go to the Benchmark 72 with him with a bit of weight off him but as a few of the experts told me, that's why the Highways are there and you've got to take them there while you can.
'The Highway form is hard form and I've got to break the duck. Off what he did the other day I started to get a bit excited.'
First Landing went close to breaking his Highway duck last start after hitting the front before being gunned down late by Shropshire Lad.
'Two starts before when he led he got out in front and switched off and when the jockey put a couple on his backside, he took off again so he's still learning,' Sprague said.
'I don't think the penny has dropped yet.'
Bookies rate First Landing as a $7 chance with jockey Zac Lloyd set to pilot the gelding.
The lightly-raced galloper should have no trouble getting through the heavy conditions while his wide draw might not be as bad as it seems.
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'Last time we decided we wouldn't run him if he drew wide again but with the wet weather we thought they might come out to us,' Sprague said.
'There is nowhere up around our area where there is going to be races because it's so wet at present.'
VIA SISTINA HEADLINES RANDWICK TRIALS
Superstar mare Via Sistina will move a step closer to her racing return as the headline act among a galaxy of stars at Royal Randwick trials on Tuesday.
Trainer Chris Waller will give the bulk of his top spring contenders on the morning with Fangirl, Aeliana, Lady Shenandoah, Autumn Glow and Wodeton also poised for a tune-up.
Via Sistina and Fangirl are in the opening heat over 1000m with Ciaron Maher's Another Wil and the Tulloch Lodge stayer Vauban.
Aeliana and Lady Shenandoah feature in the second 1000m Group trial which will also see Godolphin duo Pericles (Bjorn Baker) and Zardozi (Maher) lining up under the banner of new stables.
The most recent edition to this year's The Everest, Jimmysstar, will take his first public steps towards the $20m feature in a 900m heat that also feature unbeaten boom filly Autumn Glow
Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magnetica and Randwick Guineas victor Linebacker are just a few of the other big names preparing to put the polish on their spring preparations.
The first stakes race of the new season looms later that week with the Group 2 $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick. Horse Racing
Trainer Jason Deamer admits Just In Time faces a significant test on heavy ground as she aims to bring up a winning hat-trick at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Horse Racing
Trainer Adam Campton says apprentice Jace McMurray would have learned plenty riding in Sydney but a return to the provincial circuit could benefit the teenager.
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