Quality mare Danish Twist has been scratched from the Listed $100,000 IPG Marketing Solutions Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday with trainer Kris Lees electing to run her at Rosehill instead.
Danish Twist, above, has been scratched from the Helen Coughlan Stakes at Doomben and will run at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Danish Twist drew barrier twenty in the original draw for the Helen Coughlan Stakes so Lees will use the $100,000 Octagonal Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill as her final lead up to the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1350m) at Doomben on June 24.
The Dane Shadow mare will be having her first run since finishing thirteenth to Foxplay in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Legacy Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 8 and Lees admits that she might struggle at 1400m first up.
“We are going to 1400 metres first-up on Saturday, which is a bit of a concern, but I’m happy with where she is and it is an ideal race heading to Brisbane,” Lees told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“She has never really gone that bad, even though if you look at her it doesn’t read that good.
“The main thing I would be worried about is the two-month break since her last run, but we are aiming at the Tiara and this race fits.”
Lees has given Danish Twist two barrier trials in preparation for her return with a win over 800m at Newcastle on May followed by a second over 1000m in a Wyong trial on May 22.
“She probably has not seen out a strong mile and I think the 1400 metres is probably her best trip,” Lees said.
“We just decided to give her a freshen up and her two trials have been really good.”
The Team Snowden trained Nancy and Mel Eggleston’s All Over Bosanova are also early scratchings from the Helen Coughlan Stakes which allows the first three emergencies, Slumber Party, Inspired Estelle and Prontezza, to secure a run.
The scratching of Danish Twist leaves the Bjorn Baker trained Bonny O’Reilly as the short priced $2.90 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Helen Coughlan Stakes with Godolphin’s mare Maternal the only other runner under double figures at $7.
Danish Twist is marked at $7 for the Octagonal Handicap at Rosehill.
