By John Schell
Kris Lees has Rogue Bear in the Taree Cup.Credit: Getty
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is confident he can give the Taree Cup a shake today with Rogue Bear.
Lees scratched Rogue Bear from The Hunter meeting at his home track yesterday to be saved for the $100,000 Taree feature, which is also a qualifying event for the $2million Big Dance. Dylan Gibbons will take the ride on Rogue Bear.
“He’s a horse on the up,” Lees said. “He handled the Taree circuit well when he won there when he was first up from a spell this preparation. He’s since stepped up to city company and has run really well both times at Randwick at his last two starts.
“It’s not going to be an easy race for him on Sunday, but he is heading in the right direction and I’d expect him to be fighting out the finish.”
Meanwhile, Warwick Farm-based trainer Greg Hickman will make the trip to the Taree for the feature meeting with two leading chances in support races on the card.
Hickman will rely on Waikato Flyer in the Elders Real Estate Class 1 & Maiden Showcase Plate (2000m) and Snitzaroo in the TAB Super Maiden Showcase Plate (1000m).
“Waikato Flyer is a nice type by Savabeel and the 2000m will suit him at Taree,” Hickman said.
“His first three runs back from a spell were all good, and then he was only just beaten when he ran second at Taree at his latest start.
“Ashley Morgan takes the ride and he has barrier one, which should ensure he gets a good run throughout. He’ll be hard to beat.”
Snitzaroo is resuming from a spell in his event and has drawn well in gate three with Gibbons taking the ride.
“He’s a nice enough horse that ran well enough in his two starts early in the year,” Hickman said. “I’ve given him two trials leading into this first-up run and they have both been good.
“It’s a nice starting point for him, and I expect him to run very well over the 1000m.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
