“HARRY” STEPPING UP TO TAKE ON LISTED GRADE

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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 this morning.

“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 3YO Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm on September 23.

Harrybegood is a homebred out of the Flying Spur mare Flying Hope (who died in May 2024), and a younger half-brother to Lees’ six times winner Powerful Peg, now at stud.

Harrybegood has barrier nine in a field of 10, continuing his trainer’s wretched luck with barrier draws, especially at Saturday meetings.

“It’s been happening for the last month,” Lees said.

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Harrybegood is the stable’s sole representative at Rosehill Gardens, and it’s a similar story – and with poor barriers - at Caulfield and Eagle Farm.

Lord Of Biscay (Jye McNeil) was first emergency for the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, and has secured a run with the withdrawal of topweight War Machine.

Lees withdrew this year’s $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) winner from Flemington last weekend on a heavy track, and he has drawn 12 in a field of 16 at Caulfield.

“Lor OF Biscay will definitely run this time with a good track in the offing,” Lees said.

“He ran well first-up when seventh in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on September 12, and wasn’t too far behind the subsequent Epsom winner God’s Window (who ran fifth).”

Lees had two acceptors at Eagle Farm, but another poor draw has led to him withdrawing Herman Said from the Class 3 Handicap (1200m).

Instead he will rely on Little Beginnings, and apprentice Jett Newman will claim 3kg in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1400m).

“True to form, Little Beginnings has the outside in a field of nine,” Lees said.

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“But he is back in winning form, scoring over the same distance in an Open Handicap at the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.

“If he can get across from the wide barrier, he can definitely play a part in the finish.”

. Lees will decide after trackwork on Tuesday morning if Changingoftheguard lines up at Royal Randwick next Saturday in the Group 3 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m).

This year’s Sydney Cup winner has been troubled by a cough since the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) on September 18.

Meanwhile, Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes placegetter Under Focus will head to Melbourne for another Group 1 tilt at the $2m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31.

“Under Focus will go to Melbourne in about 10 days’ time,” Lees said.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 9, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS