Newcastle trainer Kris Lees isn't letting a mix-up over riding engagements interfere with plans for Ugly Betty to capture Saturday's Fujitsu Australia Handicap at Doomben.Lees has booked Brad Pengelly to ride the four-year-old in the 1200-metre feature despite Larry Cassidy finishing second on her behind Satsang in the Listed Cadell-Garrick Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm last month."I was under the impression Larry was going to ride Burdekin Blues in Sydney," Lees said."But it doesn't worry me t

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees isn't letting a mix-up over riding engagements interfere with plans for Ugly Betty to capture Saturday's Fujitsu Australia Handicap at Doomben.

Lees has booked Brad Pengelly to ride the four-year-old in the 1200-metre feature despite Larry Cassidy finishing second on her behind Satsang in the Listed Cadell-Garrick Handicap (1200m) at Eagle Farm last month.

"I was under the impression Larry was going to ride Burdekin Blues in Sydney," Lees said.

"But it doesn't worry me too much as Brad won on her at her previous start at Eagle Farm."

Cassidy has been in super form since he recently moved to Brisbane to ride fulltime and has a full book of eight rides at Doomben despite injuring a finger at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Cassidy rode in the first four races midweek but was forced to stand down from his remaining four rides after he hurt ligaments in a middle finger.

He had precautionary X-rays which cleared him of any break before deciding not to ride at Ipswich on Friday.

"I had the finger X-rayed yesterday and it's not broken," Cassidy said.

"I decided against riding at Ipswich today but I should be right for tomorrow."

Cassidy rode Burdekin Blues when the four-year-old strolled to a six-length win over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm last month but Shane Scriven has travelled south to partner the gelding in Saturday's Group Two Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Lees expects another strong performance from Ugly Betty.

"She's done well since she was beaten by Satsang last time and she should put in another strong performance," Lees said.

"She got a slight bump on the home turn in her last race but I'm not making excuses for her as the winner came from behind us to score."

Lees plans to send Ugly Betty back to his Broadmeadow base after this run before aiming her for the Listed Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 21.

However, he is hoping to return to Brisbane with the daughter of High Yield for the winter carnival.

"I'd like to come back with her but not for the big races like the Winter Stakes," Lees said.

"She's not quite up to that level but there's plenty of nice fillies and mares races for her at Listed level."

Lees believes Satsang should again prove one of the main dangers for Ugly Betty who has drawn the outside barrier, 12.

"It's an awkward draw for her and Brad will be told to ride her for luck," Lees said.

"Satsang looks our main danger again considering the way she beat us last time."