Lee Steere Stakes Preview

Matt Rigby | Metropolitan Racing | Thu 3 November, 2011

Last years Lee Steere was a bit of a farce, won by Famous Roman in very slow time. All but one runner finished within three of the winner, the horse with the best finishing sprint. Grand Nirvana was forced into the pace making role that day, buy you can guarantee he wont be there this year with the likes of Waratah's Secret and Wolfe Dreams in the race.

Waratah's Secret has been strong in all three runs this campaign, slugging it out on each occasion with the longest margin a long head in his win over Grand Nirvana in the Prince of Wales. It sounds strange, but I think he should lead and go faster, breaking the ability of most horses behind him to finish off with decent sectionals. Ranger and Shock Value were able to outsprint him, granted with big weight advantages. In the Prince of Wales, Grand Nirvana also nearly grabbed him. O'Donnell should suit the horse, let him cruise at a high speed and then try and put a few lengths on them turning for home. If that happens, none will catch him.

Grand Nirvana is the obvious danger, meeting him on equal weights and having only been defeated a long neck at their last meeting. Coming from off the speed suits him best aswell, but the Ascot winning record must be in the back of mind. Kid Choisir was the best run out of that race, coming from back on the fence and finishing over all of them. He has never ventured past 1200m in his career, so that is a query, but forgiving that, he must be a chance to upset. Miller took off too early on King Kool Kat in the Prince of Wales, almost hitting the front on straightening. He peaked and ran out of puff and I think he's well below the top three already mentioned. Ranger takes the big hit at the weights, should get a nice run again, but its hard to see him running down Waratah's Secret again, even with Pike aboard. His propensity to switch off at the crucial time makes him a huge lay here.

You can keep the rest and Philby should be at least $101 in this field.

If I knew exactly how Waratah's Secret was going to be ridden, I'd be supremely confident here, but we dont. The market looks about right although I'd have Waratah's and Grand Nirvana a little closer.

Tips: Waratah's Secret, Grand Nirvana, Kid Choisir.