Heading to Sydney as an outsider is nothing new for The Lion and nor is returning to Kootingal as a winner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Trainer Michelle Fleming is hoping The Lion can replicate some of his previous efforts in the city when they head to Canterbury Park on Wednesday.
The six-year-old gelding will line up in the TAB Handicap on the back of a couple of promising runs, Fleming said.
First-up this preparation saw The Lion run third at Gunnedah which was then followed by races at Muswellbrook and Gosford.
READ ALSO:
At Gosford, The Lion finished two and half lengths off the winner but it was the finish that gave Fleming confidence.
"At the second start, there was a little bit too long between runs but last start I was really happy with his run," Fleming said.
"He didn't have a very good barrier and you need a barrier on the Gosford track. It's quite a tight track but he finished off really well."
It has been two weeks since that run at Gosford which should have The Lion primed to strike.
"If I leave him too long between runs, he might get a bit fat but this is perfect timing," Fleming said.
The Lion has won at both the Rosehill and the Randwick tracks but hasn't run at Canterbury before.
A new track wasn't a worry for Fleming, though. She said her gelding loved the city tracks.
"He likes travelling and he likes the atmosphere down there [Sydney]," Fleming said.
And while the atmosphere won't be there with no patrons allowed, Fleming said The Lion would still relish the trip.
"I think he likes the different scenery," Fleming added.
The Lion will be Fleming's only runner on Wednesday but she has two more horses nominated to race on Saturday.
Manabar - who has been racing consistently - will be headed to Newcastle to compete while St Luke will race at Moree in search of a win.