Australian Bloodstock and trainer Kris Lees are banking on a trio of their European imports to produce form turnarounds in two feature races at Randwick.
Both Mustajeer and Raheen House will line up in the Group One Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) looking to rebound off unplaced runs.
Danceteria has disappointed since his arrival in Australia but Lees is enamoured with his work at home and keen to see what he produces when he resumes in the Group Two Hill Stakes (2000m).
All three are capable of earning carnival trips to Melbourne if they can find their best form on Saturday.
Raheen House was a Group Two winner over 2600m in the autumn and finished third in the Sydney Cup, both times on wet tracks.
He was well beaten in the Wyong Cup last start on firm ground and Lees admits he probably needs a rain-affected surface to shine.
“He’s a very good horse when the conditions suit and unfortunately it’s looking unlikely he will get that ground,” Lees said.
Mustajeer won the Listed Parramatta Cup under Hugh Bowman in February and was runner-up to Verry Elleegant two starts later in the Group One Tancred Stakes.
He has finished down the track in two campaign runs but gets Bowman back in the saddle and an ideal barrier in five.
“He gets a soft draw so we can put him in the race a bit, he gets Bowman back on and he’s out to his preferred trip, so there are a few positives,” Lees said.
“But he needs to show he has come up for the preparation.”
Lees and syndicators Australian Bloodstock have four Metropolitan runners and there is no doubting the form of the other two in last-start Newcastle Cup winner Mugatoo and third placegetter Attention Run.
European Group One winner Danceteria is yet to show his best in five Australian starts but Lees is seeing positive signs on the training track.
“He works really well and he’s a smart horse,” Lees said.
“He’s had a few little issues so hopefully they have rectified themselves and he can run up to what we know he’s capable of.”
Danceteria’s overseas form includes a Group One fourth to champion Enable in last year’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
