Lees attacking Group 1 feature with numbers

The Newcastle trainer’s hopes rest with Invincible Gem (I Am Invincible), El Dorado Dreaming (Ilovethiscity), Delectation Girl (GB) (Delegator {GB}) and Miss Fabulass (Frankel {GB}) in what shapes as a wide open affair.

Lees said his runners will all present in good shape and couldn’t favour one over any other and all of them to be suited by the rain-affected going.

“It’s a very even race and the market indicates that. All ours are at double figure odds, but it’s that type of race and I’m comfortable where they are at.

“I couldn’t really split them to be honest and luck in running will probably tell the story. They are all comfortable in the softer ground and outside of Invincible Gem the others will get back and need decent tempo.

“Invincible Gem is really well and she’s drawn a sticky gate, but she will go forward.”

The 6-year-old had a short spring and summer program, which ended with a runner-up finish in the G2 Villiers S. She resumed when third in the G2 Millie Fox S. and Lees said she had subsequently trained on well.

El Dorado Dreaming is something of an enigma with her sole victory coming in the G1 ATC Sires’ Produce S. She has since been a multiple black type placegetter, including a bold run in the Coolmore last year behind Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense {USA}).

"She’s been a long time out of the winner's stall, but she ran second last year and I feel she is going as good as last year at home," Lees said.

Delectation Girl has yet to open her winning account in Australia and has gone close with seconds in both the G3 Angst S. and at her most recent start in the G3 Newmarket Newcastle to barnmate Special Reward (Demerit).

Lees said Delectation Girl deserved her opportunity and like Miss Fabulass, would appreciate a genuinely run contest.

A daughter of Samantha Miss (Redoute’s Choice), a multiple Group 1 winner for Lees, Miss Fabulass has won twice at stakes level and her chances should be helped by a step up to 1600 metres.

Three-pronged attack

Lees will also have multiple representation in the G3 TAB Sky High S. with Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice), Mustajeer (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and Attention Run (Ger) (Hurricane Run {Ire}).

Yet to show the form that earned him Group 1 honours in Germany, Danceteria was unsighted when opening his current preparation in the G1 Chipping Norton S. and is expected to be more competitive over 2000 metres.

“We expected a little more from Danceteria at a mile, but all indications are that he wants the 10 furlongs and he might even want further. I think he will run an improved race,” Lees said.

Mustajeer was a smart first-up winner of the Listed Parramatta Cup over 1900 metres and Lees is confident the best is yet to come from last year’s Ebor H. winner.

“He’s come back in really good order, whether he is just looking for a bit further we’ll see, but I’m really happy with him,” he said.

Attention Run is also in the early stages of her campaign and will benefit from Saturday’s outing.

“This run will bring Attention Run right on and will be looking for further ground off the back of it,” Lees said.

Australian Bloodstock are involved in all three stayers, as they are in Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) who is unbeaten in three Australia starts and this week added the Listed Canberra Cup to his CV.

That performance elevated Mugatoo to second favourite for the G1 Sydney Cup behind the G2 Adelaide Cup winner King Of Leogrance (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), but the 5-year-old is not as yet a certain starter in the April 11 feature.

“He’s a nice horse and I don’t know that he’s beaten strong opposition yet. He’ll step up in grade in the G3 Manion Cup next week and the G1 Sydney Cup is still on the table, but it’s a run at a time and we’ll wait and see,” Lees said.