Star Sprinter Up For the Challenge in Magic Millions Feature

Atherton trainer Michael Lee is under no illusions that his classy sprinter Yes Dream will need to be at the top of his game to continue his unbeaten record at Cluden Park tomorrow.

Punters pal Yes Dream has won five from five in Townsville with regular jockey Lacey Morrison aboard and is favourite to claim the $32,500 Magic Millions Country Cup Qualifier (1200m).

But Lee is taking nothing for granted and expects fierce competition in tomorrow’s feature field which includes the Jared Wehlow-trained Xanthus and the inform Georgie Holt stablemates Miss Seattle and Siren Rock.

“It’s a winnable race but in saying that it looks like the strongest race up here for him. He’s up against the open class horses and there’s some very good form in the race,” Lee said.

“It’s not an easy race but hopefully his class will bring him home again.

“He’s shown me before he can do it - in Brisbane - so hopefully he can do it again.”

A home-bred winner out of Lee’s grand producing mare Platinum Ruby, Yes Dream has won seven of his 11 starts since making a winning debut at Cluden in October last year.

The Dream Ahead gelding’s biggest victories to date were in the $105,000 Northern Jewel at Cluden in May and a 3YO Hcp at Eagle Farm in July.

Yes Dream claimed another northern feature with a win over Bondi Beau in the Townsville Amateur Sprint at his most recent start on November 20 but by the barest of margins.

According to Lee, the notoriously lazy trackworker felt the rigours of a hard run but has bounced back.

“It took three or four days for him to pick up. I reckon It was a hard run for him first up. He really put it all out there,” Lee said.

“He’s happy and back to himself now which is good and I’ve just been keeping him ticking over.

“But he’s a very plain track worker. When you look at what he does on the track on his own you wouldn’t think he’d beat a maiden.

“With other horses he just takes off, but by himself he’s very casual.” 

Tomorrow’s qualifier offers the winner, if MM registered, ballot free entry into the $500,000 MM Country Cup at the Gold Coast on January 14.

But Yes Dream is ineligible for the final and will instead either head to Brisbane or spell depending on his performance this week.

Tomorrow’s seven-event card kicks off with the Brown Brothers 2YO Mdn Hcp (1000m) at 2.20pm.

Pictured: Yes Dream and regular jockey Lacey Morrison (outside) notch a fighting win at Cluden last month. The pair will chase more glory at Cluden in the Magic Millions Country Cup Qualifier.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.