Impressive Yes Dream set for Brisbane return after Townsville assignment

By Jordan Gerrans

Tolga trainer Michael Lee thinks there is more city victories in Yes Dream ahead of his return on Sunday in Townsville’s feature Amateur Sprint.

The son of Lee’s former sprinter and brood mare Platinum Ruby picked up his maiden metropolitan triumph in July of this year in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at Eagle Farm.

The six-time winner then went back to North Queensland for one run during the Cairns Amateurs carnival before heading to the paddock.

The classy gelding is set to return from the break in Sunday’s $30,000 1200 metre event at Cluden Park.

There was some concerns around the lightly raced four-year-old when he did not get the money in his NQ return in the middle of September but Lee is confident everything is right with Yes Dream.

“He had a niggling problem before but he is all ok now,” Lee said.

“The veterinarian and I could not find any major problems with him so we just took it easy on him.

“From my point of view, I think he is good to go.

“I am pretty sure he will run a very good race on Sunday.”

It has been a fruitful year for the Atherton Tablelands-based Lee.

Yes Dream claimed a city winner, as did stable mate Ruby July, who is also a progeny of Platinum Ruby.

He also retired from his popular restaurant he ran in Far North Queensland.

With his star stable mates having claims for further city riches, Lee will now have more time on his hands for his gallopers, instead of serving up food.

Ruby July spent time with Sunshine Coast trainer Gary Duncan – who hails from Atherton – this year and Lee says if the duo are to return to South East Queensland, he is likely to have the time and capacity to travel them anyway himself this time.

“I was very pleased with Yes Dream, I always thought he was a city class horse and he proved that to me, which is good,” Lee said.

“We brought him back to the north where he had a good spell.

“We will probably look to send him back to Brisbane if the weather permits following Sunday’s race as I do not want to him to race on a heavy track.”

The trainer and breeder has not planned to far ahead in Yes Dream’s campaign, declaring he will look further into it following his first-up assignment at Townsville on Sunday.

Lee thinks both will again strike in town.

“Ruby July is having a good spell,” he said.

“She is starting to look good now.

“She will win a few more races in the city I think.”

Platinum Ruby continues to deliver for Lee, producing Ruby July, Yes Dream and the now retired 12-time winner Platinum Tycoon.

The Townsville Amateur Sprint and Amateur Cup will be the feature events on Sunday’s program from Cluden Park.

Emerging apprentice hoop Melea Castle will ride on the card on Sunday in Townsville.

The youngster claimed her maiden Sunshine State city victory of her career on Wednesday afternoon at Doomben for Darling Downs horseman Lindsay Hatch.

The win came aboard roughie Miss Barty in Benchmark 68 grade.

“I was quite rapt to get the opportunity,” Castle said.

“I cannot thank Lindsay enough for the opportunity.”

As well as riding at Ipswich on Friday and the Gold Coast on Saturday, Castle has four bookings in North Queensland to round out the weekend.