Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is not anticipating a giant-slaying performance in the $10 million Golden Eagle, but he is optimistic that Rivellino and Night Agent can defy their triple-figure odds and secure a valuable prizemoney cheque for their connections.
On Thursday, both runners were quoted at $101 by bookmakers, with the market heavily favouring the outstanding mare Sheza Alibi at $1.80.
With the first ten horses earning prizemoney from $5.25 million for the winner down to $100,000 for ninth place, Lees is confident that Rivellino and Night Agent are in good enough form to be part of that successful group.
In what promises to be a busy afternoon for the stable, the Novocastrian conditioner might also have Tavi Time contesting the $750,000 Sydney Gold Cup (2000m) on the Golden Eagle undercard. Additionally, the Yulong-owned colt Under Focus is set to compete in the stallion-making Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in Melbourne.
“Big day. They’re all long odds but it’s big prizemoney and I think they’re all capable of running well,” Lees stated.
“Night Agent, we’re probably getting him to this level a bit quickly. He’s not well placed in the race, but he’s a quality horse and he’s silly odds.
“He’s won one race this preparation, but he is a good horse, so we have to give him his chance. We can always come back in grade.”
Night Agent endured a wide run from an awkward gate in the Silver Eagle (1300m) but battled on gamely, while Rivellino also finished off strongly in the same race on his return from throat surgery.
The latter was competitive against some of the best colts of his generation in stakes races during the autumn. As an entire, he is expected to be fitter for his first-up run.
“He’s another one who, off that first-up, he can easily earn a nice cheque,” Lees commented.
“I don’t think he can beat the favourite, but I’m happy to give him his chance to run well.
“They can both run better than where they sit in the lines of betting.”
Under Focus is rated $17 for the Coolmore Stud Stakes, having been freshened since his third-place finishes behind Warwoven in both the Run To The Rose (1200m) and the Golden Rose (1400m).
Lees reported that the three-year-old has settled into Melbourne well and received some straight-track practice in a Flemington jump-out last Friday, though the trainer has reservations about his draw in barrier one.
“Really happy with him. He’s trialled well down the straight, and he worked well down the straight on Tuesday,” Lees said.
“It will be five weeks between runs, but the Golden Rose form looks to be standing up well.
“The draw doesn’t look good at this stage, but time will tell. He’s drawn one… we’ll see how that plays out.”
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