STABLE apprentice Ben Osmond has made his mark in town lately, riding his first two Saturday metropolitan winners for leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
Now his boss Kris Lees is hoping he can get his first Sydney winner for him at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Lees has booked 3kg claimer Osmond for Bubba’s Bay in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m), lessening the mare’s handicap to 56kg.
The rising five-year-old mare begins a new campaign on the back of three straight Brisbane victories in March and early April (all at 1200m) before going for a break.
“Bubba’s Bay has won seven of her 17 starts, but never first-up and that might be some concern,” Lees said on Friday.
“However, she has been placed a couple of times when resuming and has had two solid hitouts in trials to get her ready.
“She goes to the races in good order.”
Bubba’s Bay won an 845m Wyong trial on June 19, and then had Osmond in the saddle when narrowly beaten by stablemate and five-times winner Cloudland in a 925m Newcastle trial on July 18.
Osmond, 25, has ridden four winners in Sydney this season, beginning with $21 chance Cheerful Legend on the Kensington track last August for fellow Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle.
More recently, his three winners in town (Kazou, Unstopabull and Robusto) have all been for Waller, Kazou and Robusto being at Saturday meetings at Rosehill Gardens on June 29 and last Saturday respectively.
Lees has four Randwick runners, and is taking impressive home track debut winner Lutetia to town for the 2YO Handicap (1100m), and Regan Bayliss takes the mount.
The Coolmore-owned Justify filly won a 2YO Maiden Handicap (1200m) at home a fortnight ago.
“Obviously it’s a step up going to a Saturday race in town, but I’m sure she can be competitive,” Lees said.
Sam Clipperton rides Blackcomb in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m), and Nash Rawiller partners Fulfilled in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) against their respective sexes.
“Blackcomb did a terrific job from an outside draw when third to two highly-rated horse (Bear On The Loose and subsequent winner Don Diego De Viega) at Rosehill Gardens late last month,” Lees said.
“She comes back to fillies and mares’ grade, and gets her chance to break through.
“Fulfilled hasn’t raced since mid-June and missed a start at Randwick a fortnight ago when an emergency.
“He will definitely take improvement, but had a trial at home last week and has drawn well.”
. With poorly-drawn First Person an absentee from Doomben on Saturday, Rogue Bear will be Lees’ sole representative at the Brisbane meeting.
And he looks a really good chance in the Benchmark 90 Handicap (2020m), with Andrew Mallyon to ride.
“Rogue Bear is fitter for two runs back, and made good ground from the home turn when a close fourth in a Benchmark 85 Handicap (1600m) at Doomben a fortnight ago,” Lees said.
“Going up to 2020m suits him even better, and he drops 2.5kg for the rise in grade.”
Story John Curtis, July 26, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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