Dream Sprinter Begins Run Towards Jewel

Unbeaten three-year-old Yes Dream will launch his campaign towards next months’ $100,000 Northern Jewel when he takes on a crack field at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Yes Dream has won his only three starts, two of them in Townsville, but tomorrow’s first-up run in the Mitavite 3yo Hcp (1200m) is his toughest test to date.

The gelding’s Atherton-based owner-trainer Michael Lee said the 1200m first-up after a five month lay-off was his main concern.

“He looks great and he’s a lot stronger, but I think he could be vulnerable first-up at the 1200m against very good, fit three-year-olds,” Lee said.

“I would have preferred a 1000m race but there wasn’t anything around for him. Hopefully his class will carry him through.

“He’s been in work on and off for about four months but had a bit of a setback when he bumped his hip on a post.

“It was just bruised but it meant I had to give him a bit more time. 

“I’m very happy with him and it’s a big plus that Lacey Morrison has stuck with him. Obviously she’s committed a lot of the time with Sharlee (Hoffman), so I’m very lucky that she went with my horse.

“At the moment if you try to pat her (Lacey) on the back you’ll burn your hand. She’s in red-hot form.”

Yes Dream is the latest foal to race from Lee’s grand dam Platinum Ruby who has already produced prolific winner Platinum Tycoon and the brilliant Ruby July who landed a big first-up win at Eagle Farm on April 2 for new trainer Jack Duncan.

Ridden by Lacey Morrison in all three of his wins, Yes Dream showed he possessed the family’s speed from the very start with a raw but impressive win on debut at Cluden last October.

He quickly added to his record with another easy win at Cluden and a fighting win at Cairns in November before going for a spell.

Yes Dream will today be up against a quality line-up that includes last season’s boom two-year-old Palencia, the improving Eagle Eye Star and impressive last start winner Yarralinda – all of whom will be chasing the big prizemoney of the Northern Jewel QTIS over 1300m at Cluden on May 20.

Lee will also start good sprinter Sparkly Star in the BFQ Accountants Cl6 Plate (1000m) and expects the seven-year-old to run well.

The six-event Cluden meeting kicks off with Become A Member at Cluden Mdn Plate (1200m) at 1.53pm and winds up with the TAB 58 HCP (1200m) at 5.12pm.

Pictured: Leading hoop Lacey Morrison returns to scale after winning on the exciting Yes Dream at Cluden in November.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race day