Kris Lees is optimistic that a better draw and a step up in trip can help talented colt Rivellino rediscover his best form in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Set to make his first Melbourne appearance, Rivellino will race left-handed for the first time, but Lees is confident that won’t pose a problem for the son of Dundeel as he chases redemption in one of the spring’s premier three-year-old contests.
Rivellino’s form this campaign hasn’t quite matched his two-year-old exploits — which included three wins and a fourth in the Golden Slipper (1200m) before finishing fifth in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) — but Lees says there’s been merit in his runs.
“I’ve been a bit forgiving of his runs this time in,” Lees said. “He’s been back in the field at Rosehill where it has been dominated by on-speed horses in all his runs this time. We’ve always wanted to get him to the mile, even last preparation, but he had a long prep and we pulled up stumps after the Sires’. We’re looking forward to the Guineas on Saturday.”
Lees gave Rivellino a hit-out at Caulfield on Tuesday to familiarise him with the track — a course that has historically been tricky for Sydney and Queensland-trained runners first-up in Melbourne — but the trainer was pleased with how his colt handled it.
“He’s had a few gallops at home,” Lees said. “Once every couple of weeks on our course proper we go the Melbourne way just to give the track a rest, more than anything else.”
From barrier three, Rivellino will be ridden by Craig Williams, who is fresh from a double at Caulfield’s September 20 meeting and is chasing his first win in the Guineas.
“He’s in good order, but we’re under no illusions — he’s got to find his best form,” Lees said. “He mixes his form out of the gates, but if he steps clean and can hold a spot, that will be to his advantage. Last start watching it live, it didn’t look like they were going to break the track record, but they did. He had good closing sectionals but was never a threat.”
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