Luncies’ January Cup opportunity

Kris Lees is confident Luncies gets his best chance to break a seven-month winning drought when he contests the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill this Saturday.

The 2000-metre event will mark the first time the imported seven-year-old has been out of Group company for the season.

The son of Iffraaj got into the placings for the first time since his Group 3 Tatt’s Cup win in June when he ran second to Lion’s Roar in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) and although he rises from 57kg to 59.5kg, he has come through that race well enough to again be a force according to Lees.

“It’s an ideal race, just that little bit off the top standard of race, which is perfect for him,” Lees said.

“He’s always capable, he’ll run well like always, but he’s just got to give a bit of weight to those up-and-coming horses.

“He’s bounced out of that return run well, the three weeks between runs in ideal for him, so he’ll run well again.”

Luncies shares the second line of betting with Baby Rider behind Annabel Neasham’s last-start winner Naval College, who will carry just 53kg.

He is one of four runners at Rosehill for Lees, who also has Infancy as favourite in the Inglis Classic Sale February 11-13 BM72 Handicap (1300m).

The three-year-old daughter of Wandjina disappointed when last as favourite first-up at Warwick Farm, but ran third behind slick stablemate Chilli Filly last time out and is ready to peak.

“She was good behind Chilli Filly, who’s run well again, and she’s come on nicely for her third run of the campaign, so she should run well,” Lees said.

Infancy, who has drawn barrier seven of 11, will be ridden by Kerrin Mcevoy with Sam Clipperton to take the reins aboard Luncies, who has the inside alley.