With a stakes placing already in the bank, lightly-raced filly I Say Hello will get the chance to more than triple her prizemoney tally when she tackles the $500,000 The Coast at Gosford.
One of a trio of three-year-olds contesting the race’s inaugural running, I Say Hello will be part of a two-pronged attack by trainer Kris Lees, along with Game Of Thorns.
Lees scratched I Say Hello from a benchmark race on Saturday’s support program in preference for the harder assignment and believes she can feature in the finish.
After stringing together wins at Newcastle and Hawkesbury, the daughter of Iffraaj stepped up to black-type company and finished a creditable third to her The Coast rival All Hallows’ Eve in the J H B Carr Stakes (1400m).
The appeal of Saturday’s race is two-fold for Lees, who is keen to chase the rich off-season stakes money but also to see how I Say Hello performs at 1600m.
“It was good to get a stakes placing with her but I think she’s got more to give too,” Lees said.
“She is still learning her trade a touch and it will be interesting to see how she copes with the mile.
“This will probably give us a guide on whether we take her up to Brisbane for a race like the Doomben Roses in a couple of weeks.”
Game Of Thorns heads to Gosford after closing late for fifth to stablemate Cristal Breeze in the Provincial Championships Final.
A backmarker, Lees admits the mare will need luck but says the chance to race for the $287,000 first prize money cheque is an irresistible temptation.
“She needs things to go her way but on her day she’s capable,” he said.
A field of 13 will line up in The Coast (1600m) with the Chris Waller-trained pair of Wheelhouse and Nudge equal $6 favourites in an open betting race.
