“HAWKER” ON TRIAL AT RANDWICK FOR MM TARGET

KRIS Lees has a Magic Millions target in mind for Hawker Hall if he can continue his winning form at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

The promising young sprinter has already tallied four wins from nine starts, and chases a fifth in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

Adam Hyeronimus is a new rider for the Russian Revolution four-year-old, who to date has been partnered by senior jockeys throughout his career.

Hawker Hall, a Brisbane winner last winter, resumed with a close second to Spywire at Kembla Grange’s The Gong meeting on November 22 before defeating Crepe Myrtle in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on December 7.

Dropping back in grade, he rises 7kg to 60kg.

“Hawker Hall is going well, and had a nice tick over trial over 845m (which he won) at Wyong just before Christmas,” leading Newcastle trainer Lees said this morning.

“He has drawn well enough, and should be hard to beat again notwithstanding the big weight.

“Provided he runs up to expectations, there is a Class 6 Plate (1200m) at the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast in a fortnight.”

Along with Hawker Hall, Lees will have four runners in the 2000m Benchmark 78 Handicap.

They are Barazin (Alysha Collett), Éclair Encore (apprentice Ben Osmond), Oakfield Hawk (Sam Clipperton) and Oakfield Wallaby (Tyler Schiller).

“Barazin is consistent, and Ben’s 2kg claim brings Éclair Encore in nicely with 54.5kg,” Lees said

“She is racing well and deserves a breakthrough in town after three seconds at her last three runs.

“Oakfield Hawk may need this run going to 2000m at his second run back, whilst Oakfield Wallaby has drawn awkwardly, but has the most upside and is a definite chance if she does everything right.”

Lees has called on Melbourne ace Craig Williams to hopefully boost his chances in feature Magic Millions races with mounts on stablemates Bollente Bella and Damien at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

Bollente Bella has her second start in the MM 2YO Handicap (1200m), and Damien contests the MM Vo Rogue Plate (1300m).

“Bollente Bella needs to either win or run second to go to the MM 2YO Classic (1200m) in a fortnight,” Lees said.

“In any case her performance will tell us where we are at with her.

“She won a Deagon 1050m trial (1000m) on December 23 after debuting when fifth in the Listed Phelan Ready (1110m) at Doomben on December 6.

“Damien is racing consistently and all going well continues to the MM Guineas (1400m) in a fortnight.”

Lees’ other Eagle Farm representative is Cutepi in the Class 3 Handicap (1400m).

Jason Collett, successful on Zaphod and Saxobushi for Lees at the same track last Saturday, rides Cutepi.

“Cutepi was narrowly beaten at the Gold Coast night meeting on December 19, and has done well since,” Lees said.

“There are already a lot of scratchings, and Cutepi will get her chance to win a race in town.”

Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan also has called on Williams for another important ride at the Eagle Farm meeting.

She has booked him for Tambeloa in the The Eagle Way (2100m) for three-year-olds.

Tambeloa was third to Matias in the Group 3 Grand Prix (1800m) at Eagle Farm on December 20, and will appreciate the extra distance.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 2, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS