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By Ray Hickson

It didn’t go to trainer Kris Lees’ plan when Rumdabar made his debut at Randwick last month but plenty has changed as he returns for the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m) on Saturday.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The colt was specked in the betting but didn’t really get a chance to show his ability as was forced to race wide as he failed to beat one home over a short trip in that first outing.

That wasn’t the case a few weeks later when Rumdabar romped away to post his first win on his home track and Lees would like to think he could repeat the dose.

“The stablemate over raced terribly and had him in a four deep run without cover, it was an ugly watch for a debut,’’ Lees said.

“He came out of it pretty well and I always thought he’d get over a bit of ground.

“He got a lovely ride at Newcastle to be fair but reacted well and it was a good win.

“I think he’s a nice horse, he’ll be better next preparation like most two-year-olds, but off that win he deserves his chance in better company.”

Lees has allowed for jockey Aaron Bullock to ride the youngster 1kg over his 56.5kg and is hopeful he won’t need to take the full kilogram.

He said Rumdabar, $3.70 with TAB on Wednesday, appeared to travel nicely when winning at Newcastle sitting just off the speed and given that win was on a heavy track it’s an encouragement that he’ll appreciate the Randwick heavy.

“All tracks are different but he seemed to handle it pretty well,’’ he said.

“A stalking role would be nice, the 1400m is relatively kind at Randwick.

“Who knows how the track will be playing so we probably wouldn’t want to be giving away big starts.”

Honest sprinter Power Of The Brave kicks off a new campaign in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m) and Lees said on the evidence of his work and trials he can be expected to be a good money spinner for his connections once again.

The gelding had nine starts in his last stint for three wins and three seconds, including a first-up win.

“He’s a horse that can sustain a long preparation but he can also react well fresh so he will be in for a nice preparation over the winter,’’ he said.

“Hopefully we have an improving track to some regard but he races well at the 1000m so it’s a nice start for him.

“He’s a horse you can use a bit early if you need to. He found a couple of fast races in Brisbane as you can do and took a sit so he’s versatile.”

A second in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final has been the highlight of Imposant’s current campaign, that has extended back to February, but Lees hasn’t given up hope of a win for the preparation.

She has been unplaced in two runs since that Final though the trainer can see some positives for her in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m).

Rumdabar wins at Newcastle on June 27

“She’s better suited at the 1400m and handles the ground. She doesn’t win often but she does give away a bit of start,’’ he said.

“She’s been up a long time but this sort of race still looks within her grasp.”

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