Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer Kris Lees couldn’t have asked for Hosier to have a better lead in to next month’s $2 million Big Dance as he kept his unbeaten record for the stable intact at Randwick on Saturday.

Any concern Lees had about the gelding being “a touch soft” fitness wise dissipated quickly when apprentice Dylan Gibbons was able to get complete control of the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) and Hosier did the rest.

The six-year-old gained his eligibility for the Big Dance when he won the Coffs Harbour Cup in August and he’ll go into the November 1 feature without another run.

“He’s certainly on track, I thought he was a touch soft today but he was able to get such a soft first half and was able to dash home a nice 600m,’’ Lees said.

“It sets up nicely for a month’s time because he’s got improvement to come.

“I was concerned if it was going to be a testing race he could be vulnerable but when he was trotting in front like that he was always going to be hard to run down.”

Hosier held a 1-3/4 length margin over Casino Kid, another Big Dance eligible horse through his Dubbo Cup win, with O’Mudgee holding on for third.

Hosier wins at Randwick

He was sent to Sydney by owner Lloyd Williams in search of wet tracks and the win saw him firm into $6 with TAB for the Big Dance, which is run over the Randwick 1600m.

Gibbons said he was worried the pace was too slow in the early stages but counted his lucky stars nobody else took off and he was able to sprint when he wanted to.

“I was worried being out in front if someone got a jump on us we’d be on the back foot,’’ he said.

“But he’s a very intelligent horse and only did what he had to do and we were never in doubt.

“I was trying to get it as cheaply as I could and nearly found myself in a tricky spot. He’s a casual horse and had the ears pricked, I knew he was enjoying himself and when I said go he really let down well on testing ground.”

Muswellbrook trainer Jan Bowen was rapt with Casino Kid’s effort to come from off midfield and run into second place behind such a slow tempo.

She’s uncertain whether the gelding will have another run before the Big Dance but she said a truly run race for the $2 million contest would be preferred to what unfolded in this event.

“He’s really crying out for 1800m to 2000m but we have the run in the Big Dance so we’ll be going there,’’ Bowen said.

“They were going slow early, he’s got a good last 200m or 300m but it wasn’t really run to suit him. He took ground off the winner which was pleasing.”

Casino Kid is a $15 chance in the Big Dance.

Check out the replays and results from Royal Randwick