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By Ray Hickson

Luck’s a fortune, they say, in racing and trainer Kris Lees can only hope it goes the way of stablemates Imposant and Hellavadancer at Rosehill on Saturday because in their most recent starts it certainly deserted them.

Trainer Kris Lees

In the case of Imposant, Lees wonders if it was the one that got away when she went to the line untested and beat one home two weeks ago.

He’ll find out in the Jockeys Appreciation Handicap (1500m) when the four-year-old renews rivalries with Mickey’s Medal who she finished four lengths behind after being cut out of a run early in the straight.

“I think she would have made it interesting, it’s hard to tell,’’ Lees said.

“There’s plenty of hard luck stories and that was one of them.

“But she’s come out of it well and hopefully she runs a similar race with a touch more luck.

“At least she didn’t have a tough run, that’s the only benefit, and you want to make sure they are unscathed when they’re grabbed hold of in the run.”

Imposant, $4.20 with TAB on Friday, drew barrier one in that race two weeks ago and Lees said it might be in her favour to have drawn a couple off the fence but either way he hopes she’s afforded the chance to stretch out.

Lees has elected to make use of his apprentice Ben Osmond’s 3kg claim to help Hellavadancer continue her trend of winning third-up in the Congratulations Zac Lloyd Handicap (1400m).

The mare chased Defining home over the same trip at Randwick three weeks ago under 59kg but wasn’t able to wind up at the same time as the winner.

“She was held up on the fence and had to change course,’’ he said.

“It’s the same story, if she can get the right set up and right run she will be effective.

“She keeps sneaking up in weight so we’ve elected to go with the claim, Ben’s riding well.”

Hellavadancer won third-up at Wyong around this time last year and repeated that feat at Eagle Farm back in March in her previous preparation and Lees said the fact she’s racing in Sydney this time in says she’s gone up a notch.

“She’s a mare that continues to improve throughout the preparation,’’ he said.

“Her previous form we’ve had her up in Brisbane, probably a touch inferior, but she’s competing well albeit over winter.”

The Newcastle trainer has two runners in the Congratulations James McDonald Handicap (2000m) and said while Blackcomb is logically the top seed he warns not to undersell import Fulfilled.

Blackcomb ran fourth behind Fawkner Park in the Albury Cup at her last start over 2000m and backs up after finishing in the same position at Randwick last week behind One Aye.

“I’ve never backed her up before but provided she handles the quick turnaround she will run well,’’ he said.

“She doesn’t win out of turn, she’s a backmarker so you rely on those things. A better track might help her because it’s hard to make up big ground on heavy tracks.”

Imposant’s last start at Rosehill on July 20

It’s fair to say Fulfilled hasn’t lived up to expectation yet in two starts since arriving from Europe but Lees put his last start failure down to the heavy track.

“I wouldn’t mark him off those runs, I don’t know he’s been comfortable on testing ground,’’ he said.

“I think you’ll see a better horse on better footing and being able to take up a position. I think he’s a work in progress and I think you’ll see an improvement.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting