Comeback stayer Our Candidate will have a European-style preparation where his runs are spaced as trainer Kris Lees tries to rejuvenate the career of a horse that has had one run since the start of the pandemic.
Our Candidate started favourite in the 2019 Newcastle Cup and then was close-up behind stablemate Mugatoo when resuming at the start of last year, but came out of the race with a tendon problem that has put the brakes on his career.
Our Candidate winning at Randwick under Brenton Avdulla in 2019.Credit:Getty
It took him another 12 months to return to the track for a restricted race in January this year, but the injury flared up again, forcing Lees and the Australian Bloodstock syndicate to take another long road back with the now seven-year-old.
But there’s no doubting the class he possesses, and he’s caught the eye in two trials this campaign, enough for Lees to start him in a benchmark 88 over a mile at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
While punters are hardly likely to be rushing to back him – Our Candidate has never won over less than 2100m – Lees is hopeful jockey Jason Collett can take ground off the leaders late as he plots a cautious preparation with the stayer.
“He’s going well, but he’s an older horse having that long off and I don’t think he’s ever won at a mile or below . . . as much as I think he’s going alright, it will probably take a run or two to get him back to match practice,” Lees said.
‘Hopefully he’s back on track. Well, he is back on track and hopefully he stays there.’
Kris Lees
“I’m happy to have him up and going and he’s a horse I like to space his runs, so he’ll have more an English-style preparation where his runs are spread out.
The forgotten stayer Kris Lees insists is back on track
Source: Philippines Alive
