BESTOWER BACKING UP FOR CALOUNDRA CUP TILT

LAST year’s Caloundra Cup produced the subsequent Caulfield and Melbourne Cups hero Half Yours.

And whilst Kris Lees certainly isn’t thinking that far ahead, he is keen to back up Bestower in tomorrow’s renewal of the $500,000 Listed feature to be run over 2400m at the Sunshine Coast.

The five-year-old mare, proven at the distance, made good ground when fourth to Zuleika in the Listed Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday.

“I backed Bestower up just over a week after running second over 2000m at the Kembla Grange metropolitan stand-alone meeting last November, and she won over 2400m at Warwick Farm,” leading Newcastle trainer Lees said this morning.

“She has done well this week, and I think she will back up okay.

“The extra distance and big track at Caloundra will suit, and she has won on both soft and heavy ground.”

Lees has rewarded stable apprentice Ben Osmond, who is doing well in Queensland, with the Bestower ride even though it is a non-claiming race.

The withdrawals of fancied pair Pounding and Encoder has reduced the Cup field to 13.

Bestower’s stablemates Rustemo and Fasvara also will go to the Sunshine Coast from their Gold Coast base.

Rustemo (Michael Rodd) tackles the $300,000 Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m), and Fasvara (Dylan Gibbons) contests the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m).

“Rustemo is in great form, winning all three starts so far this campaign,” Lees said.

“I’m under no illusions as this is obviously a tougher assignment going to a stakes race, but it’s the right time to test him.

“This is his first try at 1600m, but at least he has the advantage of racing on the Caloundra track, and won there last time over 1400m, though in restricted company.

“Fasvara has won three of his last five starts, and also has had experience at Caloundra.

“Whilst he has drawn awkwardly, he will likely get the chance to come down the middle of the track in the straight and isn’t without a chance.”

Memoria will be the stable’s lone representative at tomorrow’s corresponding Rosehill Gardens.

Tyler Schiller rides the mare in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m).

“Memoria is nicely drawn and can take a position in a race which appears to have plenty of pace,” Lees said.

“She has taken improvement from her first-up fifth at Canterbury when she wasn’t far away at the end.”

Lees is coming off four winners at Newcastle last Saturday, and a midweek Kensington victory with Miss Busslinger.

“Miss Busslinger is doing a terrific job considering she has been up for 12 months, with breaks in between at our farm at Ellalong,” Lees said.

“She has gone back there for a few days away from the stable, and all going well we will find another suitable race for her in the coming weeks.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JULY 3, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS