James Mcdonald will partner debut winner Rivellino in the $2 million Inglis Millennium in a booking trainer Kris Lees says is a significant confidence boost.
While Lees’ stable apprentice Benjamin Osmond rode the colt to victory at his lone start in a two-year-old maiden in January, McDonald subsequently tested him in a Randwick barrier trial and was impressed enough to take the Millennium mount.
“James McDonald has trialed him and will ride him, so that’s a positive,” Lees said.
“He looks a nice horse.
“He has got a little bit of work to come. He had a good blow after the trial so there is a bit of improvement to come off it, and I’m looking forward to getting him to the races.”
Rivellino is by Too Darn Hot out of So You Think mare Intrinisic, who Lees also trained.
He showed professionalism to chase down the more experienced The Magic Man on debut at Randwick, that horse subsequently finishing second to Golden Slipper favourite Wodeton.
The Lees-trained juvenile is on the second line of Inglis Millennium (1100m) betting at $4.50, behind equal favourites Price Tag, who finished runner-up in the Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown last weekend, and the undefeated Within The Law ($4 apiece).
He is $51 in Golden Slipper odds and Lees hasn’t ruled out pushing deeper into the autumn if Rivellino continues to measure up.
“I think he could, but it’s a run at a time with two-year-olds when they’re up early so we’ll see,” he said.
Stablemate Gobi Desert is also high in the order of entry for next weekend’s feature but won’t be lining up.
The Max Lees Classic winner was given a short break after enduring a torrid run when down the track in the Inglis Nursery and has only recently returned to work.
“We will aim her more towards the late autumn and into the Scone carnival,” Lees said.
