KOOTINGAL trainer Michelle Fleming believes her five-year-old bay gelding The Lion has been underestimated ahead of the 2019 The Kosciuszko.
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Boasting a Highway Handicap victory, Fleming has been quietly preparing The Lion for a potential run in the $1.3 million showcase on October 19.
"At the moment, [The Kosciuszko] is what we are setting him for," Fleming told the Leader.
"We are hopeful he could get a run, but of course it comes down to the ticket holders and whether they are interested.
"One thing's for sure, though, if I had a ticket I would certainly pick him."
As well as a Highway Handicap victory, The Lion has claimed high-profile victories in Newcastle and Sydney during his 28-race career.
Yet, The Lion remains off the list of most betting agencies' top 50 chances of running in The Kosciuszko.
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"I find it very surprising that he has been left off those kinds of lists," Fleming said.
"He has picked up those few wins in the city as well as the Highway Handicap, and has always looked strong against that class of competition.
"Even when he has been beaten, he always runs pretty good sectionals and never really gets blown away by his competition.
"While he might not be on many people's radar, I'm confident those sorts of performances might stick in somebody's mind once the tickets are drawn."
Fleming said the five-year-old's ability to "adapt to the conditions" also made him a viable choice for ticket holders.
"We're pretty lucky because he enjoys running on both wet and dry tracks," she said.
"With that kind of versatility, it really opens up a number of options for him and never really rules him out of a race, regardless of what the conditions are like."
The Lion is set to trial at Scone on September 9 and tickets for the $1.3 million showcase will be drawn on September 10.
"Part of the preparation will see him go from the trial at Scone to race in Sydney, most likely," Fleming said.
"Hopefully he can hit his straps in those two runs and catch the eye of a few ticket holders along the way.
"We've got our fingers crossed."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
