Lees Racing

@Leesracing was very happy with Under Focus’ Flemington jumpout this morning ahead of his G1 assignment there next Saturday. Race jockey @blake_shinn rode the Newcastle colt in his fourth in the 800m jumpout on the straight course, where he will contest the 1200m $2m Coolmore Stud Stakes for 3yo’s. The jumpout featured a number of Coolmore rivals, with Paradoxium winning, St Gotthard ran third and The Next Episode finished alongside Under Focus. “The main goal was to give Under Focus a look at the straight track,” Lees said this morning before flying back to Newcastle 👇 provincialracingnsw.com.au/p…

INFANCY will be racing for more than prizemoney when she lines up in Saturday’s 1400m $2m The Invitation at Randwick. Leading @newcastleraces_ trainer Kris Lees has confirmed the six-year-old mare is in foal to nine times Group 1 winner Anamoe, and a G2 triumph would certainly boost her value when she is sold next year. Dylan Gibbons, who won the 1100m Listed Fireball Stakes for then 3yo’s at Randwick in March 2024 on Infancy, has the mount. Infancy hasn’t raced since finishing an excellent 4th to Perfumist (again a rival on Saturday) in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at the Newcastle spring carnival on September 18. She drew awkwardly that day, and has since won a Beaumont 1000m trial on October 12 in preparation for a tilt at The Invitation 👇

Kris Lees will make a belated Big Dance bid at Randwick today to have representation in the forthcoming $3m feature. The leading Newcastle trainer decided to bypass yesterday’s Big Dance Eligibility Taree Cup with Pier Pressure, including her in his 3-strong team for the Wild Card (1600m). As a result, he will have a 3rd of the field of 9 runners, with the 1st 2 placegetters automatically securing berths in the 1600m Big Dance at Randwick on November 3. Lees, who won the inaugural Big Dance in 2022 with Rustic Steel, is not yet certain of a runner this year, with Gosford Gold Cup runner-up Zaphod his only potential possibility at present. Along with Pier Pressure (Andrew Gibbons), he saddles Tavi Time (Jason Collett), & You Wahng (@TommyBerry2 )👇#provracing provincialracingnsw.com.au/p…

HARRY be good! Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is stepping lightly-raced three-year-old Harrybegood up to Listed grade in the Tapp-Craig (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow. “It’s a bit of a throw at the stumps taking on a set weights race against his own age having only recently won his maiden,” Lees said. “But he is a nice horse on the way up, and deserves a crack. “It’s the right time to try it.” Jason Collett rides the son of Harry Angel, who has raced only six times for the Hawkesbury Super Maiden (1100m) victory on August 20 and four placings; the latest in midweek company in a 1200m 3YO BM68 at Warwick Farm on September 23 👇provincialracingnsw.com.au/p…

@newcastleraces_ Horse Of The Year Changingoftheguard is on the Melbourne Cup trail again. This year’s Sydney Cup winner will contest a 1200m Open trial at Newcastle on Monday. “It will be a soft trial, but it’s a good starting point to get him going,” Kris Lees said. “I’m happy with the way he is coming up. “Changingoftheguard is still a few weeks away from resuming, & it may be in a race such as the 2000m G3 Premiers Cup at Randwick on August 22. “Obviously we’re hoping to have another crack at the Melbourne Cup (at Flemington on November 4).”provincialracingnsw.com.au/p…