Lees settles on 2025 The Gateway start for Tasoraay
AA wide gate at Randwick has forced Kris Lees to rethink plans for Tasoraay, with the trainer electing to head north for a crack at Saturday’s lucrative The Gateway (1400m) at Eagle Farm.
The four-year-old had been entered for the Saddles @ Mount White Handicap in Sydney, but barrier 20 ended any chance of running there.
“We will send him up. It’s good prizemoney and he’s in form,” Lees said.
“He drew wide in Sydney, so we’ll give him his chance up there.”
Tasoraay arrives with three wins from 11 starts, most recently overcoming 60kg to score narrowly at Canterbury.
His profile mirrors Dream Hour, another Lees runner who famously won The Gateway at odds before being trained toward the Provincial-Midway Championships.
Lees expects Tasoraay to follow a similar route.
“He will probably have a freshen after this and prepare for the Provincial Championships. He profiles like one of those type of horses,” he said.
The winner of The Gateway gains direct entry into the prestigious Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in June.
While Lees isn’t mapping out that far ahead, he knows a win would make the decision straightforward.
“It’s a big jump from this race to a Stradbroke, but with a free ticket, you’d have to consider it,” he said.
Tasoraay is at $23 in early markets, with Boomtown Boss firm at $2.70.
Compare odds and form guides for The Gateway at Australia’s leading betting sites.
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