Kris Lees has made Sydney’s key summer meeting a familiar hunting ground and will again be strongly represented across Randwick’s feature program.
The Newcastle trainer has claimed The Ingham (1600m) twice in the past decade and added two wins in the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m).
He will field runners in both races on Saturday, with Brudenell lining up in the sprint after consecutive narrow defeats, including a third in The Hunter.
“He’s up in the weights a bit these days but he’s had four weeks between runs, and he races well like that,” Lees said.
“He was good in The Hunter. It’s probably a slight drop in grade and he needs the right run from a tricky gate (13), albeit it’s not the worst start at Randwick.”
Lees will also saddle Loch Eagle, Tavi Time and You Whang in The Ingham, with conditions crucial.
“Tavi Time doesn’t need the rain, Loch Eagle needs the rain and You Whang (21), she probably needs a bit of luck from the gate,” Lees said.
Age Of Sail completes the team in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m).
“It looks a nice race for him,” Lees said.