Latest News

By John Schell

Australian Bloodstock will attempt to add an Armidale Cup to the trophy cabinet when Galaxy Belle lines up in Sunday’s $60,000 feature over 1900m.

The Kris Lees prepared mare was also an acceptor for Friday’s Randwick Kensington meeting, but Lees elected to save her for Sunday’s feature event at the showcase meeting.

Lees was successful on Friday, claiming the Mudgee Cup and will be now focusing his attention on winning his second Cup in three days with Galaxy Belle in the Armidale Cup.

Galaxy Belle (Dylan Gibbons) in winning form at Newcastle

“She’s a mare that has a bit of talent,” said Lees. “Armidale isn’t a track that will overly suit her but she is still on the way up and her last couple of runs in city grade have been pretty good.

“The step up to the 1900m will suit her on Sunday and Aaron Bullock takes the ride and that’s an advantage for her. Three of her six wins have been over 1800m so I’d expect the 1900m won’t be a problem.”

Galaxy Belle will line up against the likes of Savvy Lad in the Armidale Cup, with Savvy Lad having been in the care of a number of stables before landing in the care of trainer Tony Newing.

Savvy Lad won a couple on end earlier this year and has been far from disgraced in his latest two starts at Eagle Farm.

Lees, meanwhile, will attempt to make it a winning double when last start winner Yamabushi, also ridden by Bullock, starts in the Roberts & Morrow Chartered Accountants Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap (1100m), which is the final event at Armidale.

“He’s a speedy horse and he has had a trial to get ready for this resuming run,” said Lees. “He was midfield at Tamworth on debut and then he won very well at Tuncurry as an odds-on favourite before being spelled.

“He’s drawn awkwardly but Bullock is on so I’d expect him to take plenty of beating.”

Australian Bloodstock will also be represented at Armidale by the Cody Morgan-trained runner Macleay in the Tony Williams Machinery Class 2 Handicap with Ashley Morgan taking the ride.

Macleay hasn’t started since this time last year but has been well fitted for this return to racing with a number of solid barrier trials, the latest resulting in a second at Scone.

View final fields with full form & race replays for Armidale here