Trainer Kris Lees is normally quite reserved when it comes to assessing his runners for a race meeting but he was very bullish about El Dorado Dreaming and her prospects in the PFD Food Services Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley this Saturday.
The Group l winning filly comes to the Valley off the back of a visually disappointing run in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield but the trainer said there were excuses for her that afternoon.
“I think she just felt the firm ground,” Lees told Justhorseracing.
“And in hindsight, I think she was ridden a pair or two too close to the speed. Her best efforts have come when she’s been ridden cold.”
The filly now heads to the Group ll on Saturday and Lees said that her performance would determine her short term plans.
“The preferred option after Saturday is to go to the paddock,” The Newcastle horseman said.
“But if she was to win impressively, I mean very impressively, we would have a look at backing her up in either the Myer Classic (1600m) or Wakeful Stakes (2000m).
“She worked well at the Valley on Saturday and seemed to handle the track comfortably so I’m going into Saturday reasonably confident about her prospects.”
While Lees was bullish about El Dorado Dreaming when contacted, he also gave a very strong push for Evalina, who is set to line up at Randwick this Saturday.
“I thought her run in the Reginald Allen was outstanding from the back.
“She’s come right on from that effort, has worked very well since and I’m pretty confident she can get the job done before a possible look at a race at Flemington.”
The trainer also provided thoughts on his other key runners for the weekend:
Princess Posh (Powerflo Solutions)- “She’s been up a long time but continues to race really well. She is a chance of not running and being saved for a 1400m race at Flemington but I can’t fault her. ”
Guard Of Honour (955m Saturday)- “Two runs back haven’t been up to expecation, but he’s been freshened up and trialled well. Has worked well the Melbourne way. Just needs to draw a good barrier.”
Just Dreaming (Randwick)- “Pretty confident she can go close. Enormous effort first up. Just copped too much pressure and went a touch quick in front. Three weeks between runs looks perfect for her. Could head to Flemington afterwards but there are plenty of options in Sydney.”
