IMPORTANT GEAR CHANGE ON DAMIEN FOR MM GUINEAS

KRIS Lees has opted for a gear change on Damien in Saturday’s $3m Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast.

Blinkers come off the gelding, who is one of two representatives for the leading Newcastle trainer in the 1400m feature.

Along with Damien, Lees also has the improving Saxobushi, who is seeking a hat-trick.

Zac Lloyd is a new rider for Damien, whilst Lees’ main Queensland rider Andrew Mallyon partners Saxobushi.

Both horses fared reasonably well at today’s barrier draw at Broadbeach, with Damien to start from five and Saxobushifrom nine in the 17-horse field.

Odds-on favorite Ninja drew the extreme outside barrier.

Lees’ two are the only provincial runners in either of the 3YO Guineas or $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).

In the latest market following the barrier draw, Damien is at $13 and Saxobushi is at $15.

Lees is attending today’s opening of the MM yearling sale, and stable spokesman Danny Greer explained the reason for the gear change on Damien.

“Damien went a bit too keen last time when sixth to Ninja in the Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) at Eagle Farm on January 3,” Greer said.

“Damien was much closer than what we had expected.

“With blinkers coming off and a nice draw, hopefully he will be able to settle where he’s comfortable and be effective at the end.

“With four runs behind him this campaign (including placings at Rosehill Gardens and Doomben at his first two runs back), he is very fit.

“Saxobushi has won his last two starts at Ipswich and Eagle Farm, and has now been successful at three of his only six runs.

“Whilst the Guineas obviously is his biggest test, he certainly deserves his chance.

“The form from his last win at Eagle Farm has worked out pretty well.

He beat the year older Scripted, who then ran a close second to Poster Girl at the Gold Coast last Saturday.”

. Whilst the main focus is obviously at the Gold Coast, Lees’ talented three-year-old Rivellino was floated to Sydney this morning for his first trial as he is readied for a new campaign.

Ridden by Jason Collett, the colt finished sixth in a 900m Open heat at Rosehill Gardens.

“Rivellino had only a soft trial, but it was a good starting point,” Greer said.

“Kris will look to give him a second trial, and then decide when to kick him off.”

Rivellino was rested after finishing second to Ohope in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 25.

It was at the same track where he won the $2m Inglis Millennium (1100m) last February, and also the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) the next month before an unlucky fourth in the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.

Wyong trainer Nacim Dilmi continued his winning run, and Gosford trainers Greg McFarlane and Adam Duggan all were successful at today’s Muswellbrook meeting.

Dilmi made it 17 for the season in his new role as Domeland’shead trainer when Difensivo (Mitchell Bell) broke through in the Maiden Plate (1000m) at his fifth start.

Capital Dancer (apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald) resumed to take the Class 1 Handicap (900m) at $14 – both her career wins have been first-up – and Duggan was the “boss” in the Summer Sizzler Benchmark 82 Handicap (1000m) when a seven-year-old gelding of that name, ridden by Grant Buckley, at $7 posted his fourth success.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 14, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS