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By Ray Hickson

A little bit of Frankie Dettori magic could be required to guide Hosier to victory from a tricky gate in Tuesday’s $2 million Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick but trainer Kris Lees doesn’t see the barrier as a disadvantage.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Steve Hart)

Hosier, unbeaten in two starts since joining Lees, drew 20 in the Big Dance and given his racing style the Newcastle trainer, who has four runners in the inaugural edition, is warming to it being in his favour.

“We’ve come up with a tricky gate but it may be a better alley than barrier one to be fair,’’ Lees said.

“When you first see 20 you think ‘we’re in trouble here’ but when you pull it apart it’s the Randwick mile, he’s a horse that rolls forward and a momentum horse so it might be the right gate.”

The gelding qualified for the Big Dance by winning the Coffs Harbour Cup back in August and he reappeared over the Randwick mile a month ago to win a Benchmark 88.

In the latter race he was able to control the speed in front on a heavy track and sprint home with his last 200m of 12.23 (Punter's Intelligence) just a tick outside the race’s fastest.

Lees said when Dettori is legged on board Hosier, $4.80 favourite with TAB on Monday, he’ll be riding a horse that’s had a perfect build up to his grand final.

“He’s a world class rider and we’re privileged to have him on our horse,’’ Lees said.

“The horse can’t have done any more. We’ve had him set for this race for a while now and I think he is ready to run up to his best.

"The only worry is a firming track would probably be a negative for him.”

Dettori had his first Sydney rides at the Golden Eagle meeting last Saturday and while he obviously hasn't ridden Hosier before he said he'll take advice from the Lees stable about the horse but is looking forward to getting to Randwick for the first time.

"I'll speak to the boys and I'm sure they'll tell me all about the horse and we'll go from there,'' he said.

Scone Cup winner Rustic Steel hasn’t had the perfect lead in, with a setback forcing a readjustment to his program, but Lees said his last run suggested he’s back on track.

After drawing wide in the Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m), Rustic Steel settled back in the field and made some late ground to run sixth behind Ellsberg.

“It got a touch interrupted a month or so ago and he missed the Shannon Stakes run and had to go back to 1200m,’’ Lee said.

“He needed that run in the Five Diamonds Prelude but he’s come on well since. With a nice draw and a positive ride I think he will make his presence felt.”

The market suggests that Lees’ Ballina Cup winner Kedah and Lismore Cup winner Spanish Point are outsiders and while the trainer said they’ll need career best efforts to be in the finish they’re coming into the race on a positive note.

Hosier wins at Randwick on October 1

Kedah drops 6.5kg on her narrow defeat at Port Macquarie just over three weeks ago while Spanish Point also has a significant 6kg drop on his Lismore Cup win, though the distance drop of 500m is less in his favour.

“To be fair in a perfect world they would be in the other race (Little Dance) but they are Cup winners and take their place in the race for an opportunity to race for good prizemoney,’’ he said.

“I’d say 1800m-2100m is Spanish Point’s trip but he’s going into it fresh. A high pressure mile might play into his hands to get a nice cheque.”

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday’s Randwick meeting