Australia: Hosier steps up in class for new trainer Lees

The Irish-bred gelding Hosier has won 5 of 7 starts since arriving in Australia in the winter of 2020-21, with the victories in a maiden race and four minor handicaps.

Race conditions are about to change for Hosier. On Thursday at Coffs Harbour Racecourse, Hosier will start favored in the richest race of his career, the $104,100 Coffs Harbour Cup at a mile.

With a first two finish in the Coffs Harbour Cup, Hosier could gain a berth in the newly created The Big Dance Stakes at a mile at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on Nov. 1. The Big Dance has a purse of $1.39 million and is restricted to horses who have finished first or second in 26 qualifying races from last October to Oct. 9 at tracks in the state of New South Wales.

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The Coffs Harbour Cup is Hosier’s first start for trainer Kris Lees, the leading trainer at tracks in New South Wales during the 2019-2020 season and the runner-up to Chris Waller the last two years. The new Australian season began on Monday.

Lees has had Hosier long enough to give the 6-year-old a schooling race from the gate, or barrier trial, at about 6 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on July 21. Hosier finished first in the group of four.

Previously trained by Robert Hickmott, Hosier raced at tracks in the Melbourne area after arriving from Ireland. Hosier won his 2022 debut in a one-mile handicap at Sandown Racecourse on April 18, and was third by 3 1/4 lengths in a one-mile handicap at Caulfield Racecourse on May 28 in his last start.

At Caulfield, Hosier was beaten by Sir Davy, who was third in the Winter Championship Stakes at a mile at Flemington Racecourse on July 2.

At Coffs Harbour, Hosier will be ridden for the first time by Hugh Bowman. Hosier is likely to race near the front in a field of 14.

The Ritz, the winner of a handicap at 6 3/4 furlongs at Gold Coast Racecourse on July 13, and Fender, who was third in the listed Ramornie Handicap at six furlongs at Grafton Racecourse on July 13, have good recent form.

Fender, a winner of 6 of 21 starts, typically races near the front, but closed from 13th in a field of 15 to be closest to the front at the finish of the Ramornie Handicap. Fender is winless in two career starts at a mile, but his performance in the Ramornie suggests he can be a factor in the Coffs Harbour Cup.

The Coffs Harbour program begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern or 7:15 p.m. Pacific on Wednesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.