GEAR SWITCH ON NEWCASTLE MARE FOR GROUP 1 MISSION

KRIS Lees has switched gear on You Wahng for another Group 1 mission at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

But the leading Newcastle trainer admits the barrier draw and apparent lack of pace in the $1m Coolmore Classic (1500m) has dulled his hopes of an upset victory.

Dylan Gibbons will ride last year’s Queensland Oaks heroine, who has been freshened since a gutsy second to Snitzanova in another $1m feature, the Magic Millions Trophy (2200m) at the Gold Coast on January 17.

Lees has taken winkers off You Wahng and substituted blinkers; the exact opposite to what occurred at her last start.

“I felt the blinkers would suit her better coming back to 1500m,” he said today.

“She had a nice tick-over 1000m trial at Wyong last week, and I was giving her a good chance until Wednesday morning’s barrier draw.

“You Wahng drew the outside (14), and there doesn’t look to be any real pace in the Coolmore.

“It’s not the strongest renewal of the Classic, and I’m still giving her a rough hope, but she needs a solidly run race.”

You Wahng and leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup’s classy filly Savvy Hallie (Nash Rawiller) are the only provincial runners in the Coolmore, whilst last week’s unlucky Group 3 Newcastle Stakes placegetter Melody Again (Winona Costin) backs up.

Lees has decided to run his smart sprinter Hawker Hall in tomorrow’s fourth Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1200m) at Gosford, with the first two placegetters securing “tickets’ to the $1m Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.

Bookmakers are rating the Gosford event a two-horse contest, with Hawker Hall and unbeaten Sydney four-year-old Banjora sharing favoritism at $2.50 this morning.

Lees has withdrawn Night Agent to rely on his five-times winner, whom Andrew Gibbons will ride.

“Hawker Hall is in good order, and will be up on the pace from his favorable draw,” Lees said.

“I’m expecting him to run very well.”

Whilst Hawker Hall has not attempted the 1400m of the Final, bookmakers have brought him into $11 for the April 11 feature, obviously anticipating he will qualify tomorrow.

The Gosford Qualifier is for both Midway and provincial horses, with promising Hawkesbury three-year-old Young Mister Grace (Christian Reith) resuming in a cross-over nose band for the first time.

Newcastle trainer Tanya Randell will have her first ever runner in the PMC series with Beau Bandit (Louise Day).

The lightly-raced four-year-old resumed when second to Banjora in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on February 25, and now meets him 1kg worse.

Meanwhile, Lees withdrew smart filly Cantiamo from the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick last Saturday to wait for a Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1100m) at Gosford – and it shapes as a winning move.

Stable apprentice Will Stanley, who takes 2kg off Cantiamo’s 60kg topweight, partnered her in a Scone 900m trial success on February 25.

Stanley also rides Pomelo Chamomile, who tackles the 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) second-up after finishing fourth on resumption to Potomac River in a Super 2YO Maiden Plate (900m) at home on February 28.

Stanley also is booked for Issy’s Star in the Class 1 Handicap (1200m), but the filly is not a certain starter from a wide draw.

Lees has four runners at the metropolitan meeting at the Gold Coast tomorrow, including Saxobushi (Andrew Mallyon) in the $500,000 3YO QTIS Jewel (1200m).

A $34,000 Gold Coast yearling buy at the 2024 March sale, Saxobushi was in great form before finishing 12^th to Torque To Be Sure in the $3m Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast on January 17.

“He trialled nicely at the Gold Coast on February 24, and has worked well since,” Lees said.

Saxobushi will be joined by Bengal Boy (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 2050m), Dream Hour (Class 6 Plate, 1400m), and Power Of The Brave (Open Handicap, 1000m).

“Bengal Boy has had two runs back, and gets to a more suitable distance, whilst Dream Hour has had one run back at the Sunshine Coast and ran okay, but has drawn awkwardly,” Lees said.

“Power Of The Brave is in career best form, and thriving at our Gold Coast base.

“He is very genuine, and sure to run well again.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 13, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS