Significant ride for Lester Grace

Monday 23 June 2014, 5:47pm

Apprentice Lester Grace is off to a flying start for his new boss Gerald Ryan and will be given the chance to maintain the momentum on the in-form Majorly in the Significant Stakes at Rosehill.

Grace, who has had his indentures transferred from John O'Shea, gave a polished performance on new stable acquisition Oakfield Commands to win at Randwick on Saturday.

There were 15 entries for the Significant Stakes which will give Grace another opportunity to take the spotlight with 13 three-year-olds and two two-year-olds entered for Saturday's 1900m race.

The race is open to both ages with the Kevin Moses-trained Step Lightly and Sun Force from the Gai Waterhouse stable the two juveniles entered.

Majorly broke his maiden in a 2300m Class One at Newcastle in March and backed it up with victory over 2600m on a heavy Gosford track.

His campaign was interrupted when he had time off after he was found to have a respiratory issue following his VRC St Leger flop on Anzac Day when he finished 23 lengths from the winner, Order Of The Sun.

But he bounced back with a strong 1800m win on Randwick's Kensington track on June 9.

"He has done really well since his win and Lester will take two kilos off on Saturday which is also a help," Ryan said.

"Majorly is a promising young stayer."

Oakfield Commands was previously with Darren Smith at Newcastle. Smith's career is on hold pending an inquiry into the administration of cobalt to horses in his care.

Ryan said Oakfield Commands came to him in good order and the Listed Ramornie Handicap at next month's Grafton carnival was a possible target.

"We will enter him for the Ramornie," he said.

"It looks like a nice race for him and he should get in on the minimum weight."

– AAP

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