Trainer Kris Lees is banking on a positive barrier draw and a rise in distance being beneficial to the chances of Rivellino in the Caulfield Guineas.
Rivellino is having his first Melbourne start in Saturday’s Group 1 feature for three-year-olds over 1600m at Caulfield, and Lees is not concerned about the colt racing left-handed for the first time.
On paper, Rivellino’s form looks uninspiring this campaign after the colt won three times during his two-year-old year while also finishing fourth in the Golden Slipper (1200m) before being spelled after running fifth in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
“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’, but we’re looking forward to the Guineas on Saturday.”
Lees took advantage of galloping Rivellino at Caulfield on Tuesday.
While it was Rivellino’s first look at Caulfield, which some say can be a graveyard for NSW and Queensland horses the first time they race there, Lees said the colt handled the course well.
Just as importantly, Lees said Rivellino has had extensive experience on his Melbourne leg at home at Newcastle.
“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.”
Craig Williams, who won two Group 1 races at the last Caulfield meeting on September 20, rides Rivellino on Saturday and is searching for his first win in the Guineas.
From barrier three, Lees is hoping Rivellino can be handier than in his recent efforts in Sydney.
“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.
“They found their spot and that’s where they all finished. He had good closing sectionals but was never a threat.”
