LEES CHASING A FOURTH QLD FILLIES’ CLASSIC WITH ROUGHIE

KRIS Lees has already won three Queensland Oaks, and has a $126 bolter in his bid to clinch a fourth Group 1 fillies’ triumph at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

And whilst market assessors are saying she has the job ahead, the leading Newcastle trainer’s stable considers their roughie is not without some chance of causing a major upset in the classic.

A son of dual Group 1 winner Ole Kirk (2020 Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas), Crathie Kirk (Michael Rodd), a $180,000 yearling purchase at the Gold Coast in 2024, is a daughter of the Hard Spun mare Fursa, a winner twice in South Africa.

Named after the small Scottish church, best known for the British royal family’s place of worship when in residence at nearby Balmoral Castle, Lees’ filly won twice in restricted class at Coffs Harbour and the Sunshine Coast before finishing 11^th to Fireball Miss in the Group 2 The Roses (2000m) at Doomben on May 23.

However, the stable is overlooking that to give her a Group 1 opportunity tomorrow.

“The Roses wasn’t truly run, and as a result Crathie Kirk’s run was inconclusive,” Lees’ spokesman Danny Greer said today.

“Her rider Tim Clark had the same view that day, and we’re hoping the Oaks will be run at a better tempo tomorrow.

“We have always felt Crathie Kirk had the potential to get to this grade.”

Lees, chasing his 20^th success at racing’s elite level, won the Queensland Oaks in 2025 with Vitesse Dance ($5), and has added two of the last three runnings with Amokura ($8) in 2023 and You Wahng ($19) last year.

Crathie Kirk scored over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast before her Roses defeat; the same as Amokura did three years ago en route to her Oaks triumph.

Lees also runs Kind Words (Tom Sherry) in the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

“Kris decided to tinker with Kind Words’ gear, and has put a tongue tie on her,” Greer said.

“And Tom Sherry knows her well. He won the Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford on her last December.”

Lees has three acceptors – Brudenell (Aaron Bullock), Infancy (Dylan Gibbons) and Memoria (Alysha Collett) - for the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

“Brudenell was great when runner-up in the Ortensia Stakes at Gosford, and is drawn well,” Greer said.

“Infancy loves Randwick, and Memoria is resuming and can run a cheeky race.

“She is also in at Canterbury on Monday, and Kris will make a decision which way to go with her.”

Imposant (Kerrin McEvoy) is first emergency for the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1300m).

“Forget her run at Scone,” Greer said. “She drew poorly in the Dark Jewel Classic and never got into the race.

“She can definitely run well if she makes the field.”

Stablemates Rumdabar (apprentice Will Stanley) and Shuda Known (McEvoy) both contest the 2YO Handicap (1100m).

“There’s not much between them in their work,” Greer said.

“Rumdabar is on debut, whilst Shuda Known ran well at his first start at Warwick Farm.

“Having that race experience most likely will be beneficial.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 5, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS