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By Ray Hickson

It’s often said mares can find a bit extra when racing in foal and that’s certainly been the case with So Newchee Thinks as she chases successive city wins at Kensington on Wednesday.

Trainer Kris Lees said the four-year-old has always been honest, and her record attests to that, but since being served by Starspangledbanner she’s clearly gone up a notch given she graduated to city company at her first attempt.

“There’d be statistics to back it up somewhere, that mares can improve in foal, but I know she’s come back in good order,’’ Lees said.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Steve Hart)

“She went out in form and she’s come back in good form. She was very consistent, she matured a bit more as a staying mare.

“She now has a city win against her name and that enhances her value.”

There’s a chance the TAB Handicap (1800m) could be the swansong for So Newchee Thinks, $8 with TAB on Tuesday, but Lees has time to give her one more run before she must be retired on February 1.

After a first-up placing at Taree, Lees sent the mare to Warwick Farm two weeks ago and she stormed home to win over a mile on a heavy track.

While Lees would like similar conditions at Kensington he said the increase in distance is in her favour.

“I’d probably prefer that wet ground she got the other day but she’s in form,’’ he said.

“It puts a few others out of play when it’s wet but she’s performed on firmer ground as well.

“She raced really well first time out and then when the rain came before that race we thought she was a genuine chance.

“She’ll have to take her medicine early but will be strong late if they are making ground.”

Justify filly Lutetia is set to resume in the Palace Pier First Yearlings Handicap (1250m) and while her stablemate would perhaps prefer a wet track, Lees said a drying surface would be handy for the three-year-old.

She made an impressive debut with a Newcastle maiden win before striking heavy ground and being safely held by Tarpaulin at Randwick in July.

“She was good first time out and probably had enough second run,’’ Lees said.

“She’ll run well, depending on the run she gets from the draw. Her trials have been nice enough within herself and she’s certainly ready to go to the track.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Kensington meeting