John Schell
Jockey Ashley Morgan will join Newcastle’s chief trainer Kris Lees at Port Macquarie on Tuesday with two key chances to improve.
Although Lees has five runners in the meeting, Morgan has been given the chance to partner what appears to be the best of them: Crathie Kirk in the BNCC Asante Nardi Beresford F&M Class 1 Handicap (1200m) and Overwhelmed in the Chris Cousens C, G & E Class 1 Handicap (1200m).
Lees has only sent Crathie Kirk to the race three times and scratched the daughter of Ole Kirk from the Beaumont track assignment on Monday to run in the Port Macquarie event.
“He is a progressive who has done well in every one of his races,” Lees said. “His fourth on debut at Hawkesbury was superb. He followed that up with a sound third at Muswellbrook. And then broke through in fine style at Scone when he ran home strongly over 1400m.”
Crathie Kirk has not raced since November, but Lees has given him two barrier tests in preparation for his restart efforts.
“His last trial was at Wyong on March 5, and he came third in that and is good and clean for Tuesday,” Lees said. “I expect him to run a really good race. He’s drawn but has the class to win.”
Excessor is also a last start winner for Lees, with the Exceedance gelding beating Tamworth on his second outing earlier this month.
“He’s a good horse too,” Lees said. “His first race was very good when he finished sixth at Tamworth but he won by a length. And he followed it up with a strong win at the same track.
“He is also heading in the right direction and should be in the firing line again at Port Macquarie.”
Lees will open the day at Port Macquarie when Hellavalegacy contests the Janice Walker Maide Plate (1000m) with Andrew Gibbons riding. He will have two runners in the Cousens Honor Maiden Plate (1500m) with Varius ridden by apprentice Shannen Llewellyn and Power Cruise ridden by Gibbons.
Presented by Racing NSW
Full form and race replay available racingnsw.com.au
