Clearly Innocent set for the Stradbroke after commanding Cup win

Clearly Innocent
How far can Clearly Innocent go after clinching the Group One Kingsford-Smith Cup? Picture: Bradley Photos.

THE Kris Lees-trained five-year-old Clearly Innocent has made a huge statement early in the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival by taking out the Group One Kingsford-Smith Cup.

The gelding sat midfield for much of the run and burst away from the pack at the 200m mark to record an easy win and return $11.20 at Crownbet.com.au.

The Not A Single Doubt progeny has subsequently been crunched in the Stradbroke Hanidcap betting, moving in to $4.60 from $11 at Sportsbet.com.au.

Jungle Edge battled on well to finish second and return $2.10 Luxbet.com.au, while Counterattack ($2.20 at Williamhill.com.au) put together a classy run to round out the placings.

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Jockey Hugh Bowman said in the aftermath of the race that Clearly Innocent has the class to win group races but admitted he was not certain it would be today.

“I knew he had it in him, whether it was today or in the future,” Bowman said.

“He’s a really impressive horse.”

Bowman said he did not get the ideal run in transit but was pleased the gelding gave a kick when required.

“I wanted to be closer (but) I didn’t want to push him out of his comfort zone to do so.

“I rode him where he was happy and his class shone through.”

Kris Lees agreed that Clearly Innocent was the classiest runner in the field, but admitted he thought the Kingsford-Smith Cup was beyond his gelding.

“Going from a listed race to a weight-for-age was always going to be a concern,” Lees said.

The win moved Clearly Innocent right into the Stradbroke Handicap frame and Lees thinks he is well set for the feature in two weeks time.

“There’s a few horses that aren’t handling today’s surface but he certainly relished it and I think he will acquit himself well in a fortnight.”

The horse’s jockey agreed.

When asked if the Stadbroke Handicap looks within the reach of Clearly Innocent, Bowman was quick to laud the horse’s chances.

“It looks pretty good after that performance.”


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