Kris Lees knows Brudenell needs to lift to win Wednesday’s Canterbury Sprint, but he sees one significant that could spark the turnaround required.
Drawing barrier two has the Newcastle trainer optimistic that the son of Russian Revolution could post his first win since the Bel Esprit Stakes in March this year.
The five-year-old was third-up that day and is nearing peak fitness after two runs back from a spell in The Warra (1000m) and the Listed Razor Sharp Stakes (1200m).
Brudenell is 59kg topweight for Wednesday’s $200,000 Listed event, spotting at least 1.5kg to all over rivals and 6kg to favourite Time To Boogie, which is why Lees considered a cosy draw crucial.
“He’s at a nice trip for him and it is important for him that he’s got a soft gate with that big weight,” Lees said of the gelding who will be ridden by Josh Parr.
“If he can get an economical run he’ll get his chance.”
Brudenell is one of only four horses in the Canterbury Sprint to have raced at Canterbury, having led all the way to win a BM72 over 1250m in February 2023.
One of the others is his stablemate The Bopper, who ran second in BM72 grade at the track more than four years ago.
The last of his six wins came in February 2023, but he didn’t race between August that year and October 7 this year, when he finished fifth at Warwick and his only run since was an eighth placing at Randwick on December 21.
“There wasn’t much else on offer for him,” Lees said of the outsider of the field, who has Ben Osmond to ride and barrier eight.
“He’s capable on his day and he’ll be ridden back in the field, so hopefully get his chance.”
Lees’ other runner on New Year’s Day comes up in the race before the Canterbury Sprint, a BM64 over 1900m, with Dundeel mare Tigon Princess to be given her chance after a Tamworth win and Scone second placing in BM58 events over 1600m.
“She’s come back in good order, she won two starts back and ran into a pretty smart horse at her most recent run, so I’m happy to give her her chance in town,” Lees said.
Tigon Princess, a $16 chance, has also drawn barrier two and will be ridden by Billy Loughnane.
