Lees Targeting Repeat Newcastle Cup Win

Trainer Kris Less is following a known formula with Luncies (Iffraaj-Under the Rainbow, by Fantastic Light) as he prepares for a successive Newcastle Cup win after winning the race last year with Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator-Elopa, by Tiger Hill), reports racingnsw.com.au. Luncies ran fifth in last Thursday's Coffs Harbour Cup over a mile, and will run next in the Gr3 Premier's Cup over 1900m on August 28. "With his current benchmark rating of 83, there really isn't another suitable race for Luncies in between," Lees said. "Provided he races well in the Premier's Cup, he will then go on to the Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 17. It's the same thing I did last year with Mugatoo." Mugatoo won both the Gr3 Premier's Cup then the Gr3 Newcastle Cup before running second in the Gr1 Metropolitan Handicap and fourth in the Gr1 WS Cox Plate. Luncies won four of his six starts in England before being imported here last spring. He had two starts in the autumn, winning once, and then his fifth at his recent first-up run. "He probably raced a bit close, and will definitely come on from that run," Lees said.

Mugatoo won last year's Newcastle Cup (pic: Steve Hart)