Serene Miss closes in on black-type debut
Serene Miss could move out of her comfort zone if she continues to race through the grades in style at Rosehill.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has so far adopted a cautious approach with the lightly raced mare, but black-type could beckon as soon as the Scone Carnival if she preserves her consistent record in the Rygate Racecourse Design Handicap (1350m).
After six wins from seven starts, including the Provincial Championships Final (1400m) in her most recent outing at Randwick on April 14, the four-year-old mare is destined for stakes races.
Lees previously put a lid on expectations but has the Group Three Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) on Saturday week in mind.
Although Lees spaced the four-year-old’s runs during autumn with the Provincial Championships series in mind, she could tackle a seven-day back-up for the first time if she justifies her favouritism on Saturday.
“She’s a nice mare. Every run is a test for her and this (Rosehill race) looks like a nice option for her on the back of the Provincial Championships,” Lees said.
“She could go to the Dark Jewel or she could go to Brisbane, but she’d have to impressive on Saturday to consider Scone.”
Serene Miss was the $2 favourite with the TAB on Friday ahead of, the John Thompson-trained Special Missile.
Lees is also nursing two-year-old Gem Song through the formative stages of his career after a successful introduction in a 1200m maiden at Warwick Farm on April 11.
The colt was nominated for the Group Three Ken Russell Memorial Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast but he will have his first Saturday-class race at Rosehill in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1100m).
“He won really well on debut and he deserves a chance to at Saturday grade,” Lees said.