Racing
Kind Words strong for Belle Of The Turf
Kris Lees’ season gets even more festive at Gosford.
A mare with a few 'should haves' across her record, Kind Words is making this summer one for her after notching her second win in succession and adding group three to her name in the Belle Of The Turf Stakes.
Starting from the awkward barrier ten from the 1600-metre start at Gosford, jockey Tom Sherry pushed the five-year-old forward in the early stages before backing off the pace midrace.
Having to settle three-wide and making a run as they straightened, Kind Words ($#) was tough enough to hold off Hyperbolic ($#) by a head margin with Chica Mojito ($#) ¾-lengths away in third.
Stepping back in distance also delivered no negatives to the mare's performance in the end.
"It was a tough win," Kris Lees' stable representative Cameron Swan said.
"Everything worked out as we chanced our arm early and got into a nice spot. She finished it off well.
"Though she was in a nice positive, she lacks that real turn-of-foot over a mile.
"She probably should have won a Queensland Oaks where she had a really torrid run and she went really good so it is good for her to get this group three win. This preparation she has really shown what she's made of."
Kind Words achieved a career peak Racing and Sports rating of 102 in her last start win at Rosehill over 2000-metres on December 7 which was also her first victory since October 2024.
Kind Words' record now stands at four wins and eight placings in 27 starts.
Kris Lees notched his second success in the race after Hidden Wonder in 2010 while this was Sherry's third victory over the past five editions.
Across his latest 25 starters prior to this event, Lees' stable struck 32% winners over the Christmas period.
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