Gosford, Ballina previews: Golden Smile seeks redemption
Imported mare Golden Smile faced a stiff challenge when she stepped up to city company last start but trainer Kris Lees looks to have found an ideal race back in provincial company
Golden Smile placed in her first three starts this campaign before breaking through with a big all-the-way win in a Newcastle Maiden on a Heavy 10 over 1890m before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 on the Kensington 11 days later when fifth to Rotagilla over 1800m.
'She was very good in winning but the wet track may have aided her,' said Lees.
'It was a big jump going to town last start and coming back a little in distance could have been detrimental to her.
'Going up to 2100 metres this week looks a nice option for her. 'She is still going to get a winter track this week and she seems to be in good order.'
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The daughter of Sea The Stars drops back to a Class 1 and Maiden Plate and steps up to 2100m.
'This looks a nice race for her. A bit of a gap between runs may suit her as well being a European-bred mare,' he said.
Lightly-raced three-year-old Hawker Hall kicked off his campaign with a three-and-a-half length win over 900m on his home track on April 23 and wasn't seen on raceday again until May 26 when fifth to Prima Bella on a Heavy 10 over the same track and distance.
He steps up to 1100m this week in the Class 1 Handicap with Jason Collett back on board.
'We wanted to find the right track and run him at home again,' Lees said.
'The other day, it might have just been a bit too heavy for him.
'He's a big, heavy horse and he does like a bit of cut in the ground but not really testing like it was.
'It was just a bit waterlogged that track and made a bit of hard work for him.
'He might be better suited now getting out over just a little bit further to get a more controlled run (in front).'
Lees has been pleased with the form of Surreal I Am in Queensland this preparation where he has won two of his three starts and feels he deserves a chance back in New South Wales.
The gelding lines up in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) where he will make his presence felt.
'His two wins on the Sunshine Coast were on the polytrack but that said, I can't fault him at home,' he said.
'He will be a place chance.'
Joining him in that race is Oakfield Mamselle who is resuming from a spell.
While she has a win and a second from three first-up runs, Lees feels she will be improved by this run.
'She seems to be coming up well. Her trials were only fair but her work since has been pleasing,' he said.
Lees' other runner for the meeting is Enchanted World in the opening race, the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m).
The daughter of Ardrossan debuted on her home track on May 26 where she settled last and came between runners in the straight to finish a three-and-a-quarter length second behind Pratt.
'She was okay on debut and will appreciate stepping up a little in trip,' said Lees.
Lees also has Denuto and Irish Thunder running at Ballina and feels they will be competitive in their respective assignments.
'Denuto hasn't been far away and is close to getting a result. Hopefully he can break through,' he said.
'Irish Thunder ran well first-up. He just got hampered a little.
'He has improved from that and should run well.'
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
The week started well for trainer Scott Henley when stable star Volcanic Love trialled stylishly at Grafton and he hopes it can end on a high note with a winning double.
Henley was pleased when the meeting originally set for Lismore was moved to Ballina when his promising filly Confederate Lady races so well.
The three-year-old had her first three starts at the track where she recorded an impressive maiden win over 1012m at just her second career start and placed in her other two runs at the venue.
'I'm definitely not disappointed they moved the meeting to Ballina. She loves the joint,' said Henley.
Since resuming with a close third in a Class 1 on a Heavy 10 at Ballina on April 8, Confederate Lady has finished third behind the promising Seymour Stars at Port Macquarie and an unlucky fourth to Takemine at Inverell.
'She was just a gallop short going into that run because we'd had plenty of rain up here and couldn't get her tied right down.
'Then she ran into a good horse at Port Macquarie.
'Last start she got back further than we expected and was a bit stiff.
The daughter of Supido is out to add to her record when she steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 15 although she will come in after scratchings.
'I had her in a couple of Class 1 races that were washed out and the only available race at the next meeting has been a Benchmark 58,' he said.
'Each time in those Class 1s, to my way of thinking, she was a good thing.
'In the (benchmark) 58s, we go from a good thing to just a chance.
'From a wide gate this week, she is just a good chance with luck in running.'
Henley has been pleased with the two runs of former Victorian three-year-old Zouandme and gives him a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m).
The gelding raced on a hot speed when seventh at Grafton first-up before being beaten just over a length when sixth at Inverell.
'He has those two runs,' he said.
'He was big in condition first-up and had a good blow after the race.
'He improved a fair bit off that going into the race at Inverell and has come on nicely since then.
'The only reservation I have is the very heavy track.'
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