"He ran the 2400 out strong and I can't see a reason to drop him back in trip. He'll be suited over further now."
- Kris Lees
Mustajeer will head to the $1 million Sydney Cup (3200 metres) after a strong finish to come second in the group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on Saturday at Rosehill.
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Top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and connections Australian Bloodstock had said a Sydney Cup run on April 11 was unlikely for Mustajeer but they decided to change course after the run in the $1.5 million Tancred.
Mustajeer was the pick of the combination's trio in the Tancred, which Chris Waller-trained favourite Verry Elleegant won by four lengths with a dominant finishing burst.
The group 2 Chairmans Handicap (2600m) on April 4 and group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 11 were other Championships options for Mustajeer but Lees said the longer trip in the Sydney Cup was now the next target.
Mustajeer lifted late to edge out Avilius for second in the Tancred and he firmed from $11 to $5 and second favourite for the Sydney Cup with the TAB on Sunday.
"She was too good the mare, but he ran really well and he'll go to the Sydney Cup now," Lees said.
"He ran the 2400 out strong and I can't see a reason to drop him back in trip. He'll be suited over further now."
Mugatoo was another Championships hopeful but he finished nine-lengths sixth in the Tancred on a one-week back-up and will be spelled.
"Mugatoo has come to the end of his preparation," Lees said. "He's come a long way in a short period."
Danceteria was a surprise leader in the Tancred but faded to finish second last.
"We tried daring tactics on Danceteria," Lees said.
"It didn't work but we had nothing to lose and if anything it might have switched him on going forward."
Aliferous went closest to a win for the Lees-Australian Bloodstock combination at Rosehill, beaten a head by Night's Watch in the group 3 Neville Sellwood (2000m).
"She tried hard, she ran well," Lees said. "She probably just needs a win on her CV but she's raced really well for the last 12 months."
He said the group 1 Coolmore Legacy on April 11 was a possible next assignment "or we keep her for the week after and run her in the JRA Plate. It just comes down to if they are still on".
The Coolmore Legacy was on the schedule for Miss Fabulass after her 2.3-length fourth in the group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) won by Positive Peace.
"It was a good run," Lees said. "She probably wasn't as comfortable on that ground as opposed to the track two weeks ago."
Game Of Thorns was fifth in the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) taken out by Shout The Bar.
"She'll go to the Oaks, and on her run, she'll be competitive," Lees said.
The Lees-Australian Bloodstock team had success at Doomben on Saturday when Calibration scored an easy victory in the benchmark 70 handicap (2200m).
The Sydney Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, now worth $2 million, were among eight group 1 Championships features to have their prizemoney halved by Racing NSW on Sunday because of lost betting revenue in the wake of coronavirus restrictions. The Provincial and Country Championship finals went from $500,000 to $400,000. Group 2, 3 and listed races remained the same.
Meanwhile, the final Provincial Championship heat at Wyong on Saturday was postponed because of heavy rain causing poor visibility.
On Monday, Racing NSW added the race to the Newcastle program on Tuesday. It will jump at 6.05pm.