Promising youngster Seeiaye has opened favourite for Saturday’s running of the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle, but trainer Peter Snowden says he won’t make any bold declarations until he sees how the colt behaves before the race.
The two-year-old has shown above-average ability in his two trials to date, finishing second in his first outing before cruising to victory in a polished 900m heat at Rosehill.
Snowden has no concerns about Seeiaye’s talent — his caution stems from the colt’s occasionally wayward focus.
“He can gallop,” Snowden said.
“He worked terrific on Tuesday, but he’s just got to take that quiet attitude to the races.
“If he gets there and he’s showing his anatomy off to everyone that’s not going to be good.
“If he holds it together in the mounting yard, you’ll know how he will run and if he does hold it together, he will run really well.”
A $65,000 Magic Millions buy, Seeiaye remains an entire and is one of 12 first-starters contesting the Max Lees Classic (900m), run in honour of much-loved Newcastle trainer Max Lees.
His son, leading Newcastle conditioner Kris Lees, took out last year’s edition with Gobi Desert and will again be well represented with two fillies — Farhah and Pomelo Chamomile — chasing consecutive wins for the stable.
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