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By Ray Hickson

It’s fair to say the best of Adelaide River hasn’t been seen in his five Australian starts to date but trainer Kris Lees is quietly confident that will change this spring.

The six-year-old, three times Group 1 placed in Europe as a younger horse, is resuming from almost a year off the scene in unchartered territory distance wise in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Given a washout last week Lees said Adelaide River has to get started and though he couldn’t declare a first-up win is imminent he wants a positive return.

“It’s foreign for him to be running in a 1400m race but he’s got a little bit of mile form and he’ll get forgiving ground,’’ Lees said.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“It’s a nice day out, he will run well but will be looking for further ground I’d suggest.

“But he’s shown enough in his trials to suggest he could show up over those middle distance trips.”

Lees has given Adelaide River, $11 with TAB on Friday, three barrier trials including the past two at 1200m and has won each of them.

The gelding, formerly with Aidan O’Brien, was a Group 3 winner over 2414m prior to arriving and his best local effort was his last start fourth in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) last October.

He did run a cheeky fourth in a Chelmsford Stakes over a mile first-up in that campaign and something similar would be more than acceptable to Lees.

“It’ll come down to the pace of the race but I want to see him hitting the line with good closing sectionals,’’ he said.

“I think he will do that, I’m not saying where he should finish but it’s just how he runs himself.

“There’s no set plan, he’ll be nominated for all the features and we’ll see where he sits. He’s back as a gelding off a 10 month spell so he has a pretty open book.”

Lightly raced filly Wisnierska showed Lees she’s come back in the sort of form that started her career last summer with a first-up placing an he’s looking for her to competitive again in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m).

She won on debut then placed behind Pallaton and Lees was encouraged by her first-up third, charging late from the back, behind Nashville Jack over 1100m at Randwick three weeks ago.

“She probably trained off a little bit late in the season but won on debut and performed well against Pallaton who looks a progressive type,’’ he said.

“I thought she ran really well on her return run and she’s come on well. Three weeks up to 1300m will suit, it’s a competitive little race but I think she will run well.

“She’s versatile but going back was on purpose first-up, hopefully she can get a nice trailing sort of run.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting