Travel Associates Classic A Nice Race For Brook Road

Trainer Kris Lees believes that the 2014 Travel Associates Classic is a nice race for Brook Road and is confident that the promising mare can return to winning form in the Listed event at Doomben on Saturday.

Brook Road was narrowly denied a maiden win at Group level in The Nivison by Avoid Lightning. Photo by: Steve Hart

Brook Road was narrowly denied a maiden win at Group level in The Nivison by Avoid Lightning. Photo by: Steve Hart

Brook Road joined the Lees team after previously being prepared by Team Cummings and finished second in the William Shaw Knitwear Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 before she almost upset the talented Avoid Lightning in the Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) at the same venue on October 18.

The God’s Own mare was well-backed in the lead-up to the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on November 8, but could finish no better than third with the top-weight of 60 kilograms on her back.

Lees believes that the performance of Brook Road in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap as much better than it looked on paper and he told Racing Ahead that the Travel Associates Classic over 1200 metres is a much better race for the four-year-old.

“It looks a nice race for her,” Lees said.

“She was very effective at the 1200 and she was just beaten by Avoid Lightning who is a very smart mare right on the line.

“I struggled then to find the right race and I stepped her up to 1400 metres with a big weight.

“She appeared to have every chance, but I do think that a little bit fresh back to 1200 is ideal for her

“She comes in nicely under the conditions of the race.”

Brook Road will jump from barrier seven with local jockey Jim Byrne on her back in the Travel Associates Classic and Lees is confident that the four-year-old will get a lovely run into the $100,000 race.

Lees said that he expects there to be plenty of early tempo in the Travel Associates and he feels that Brook Road will be given every possible chance to record a maiden race win for her new stable.

“She should be suited; what you normally get good pressure in a big field like that around Doomben, so I think she is a very good chance with luck in running.

“We haven’t won a race with her yet, but her two seconds in her first two runs were very good and I didn’t lose my admiration for her from her run the other day.

“She finds a suitable race tomorrow.”

Brook Road is currently available at 2014 Travel Associates Classic odds of $3 and is a clear favourite from Just A Girl ($6), Breakfast In Bed ($7.50), Tarloshan ($8) and Tukiyo ($8).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.