LEES’ CUP HOPE HOPEFULLY A “CUT” ABOVE RIVALS

IT’S regarded as the unkindest cut of all!

But the decision to geld the now six-year-old Adelaide River during an enforced break could reap a $5m Caulfield Cup windfall tomorrow.

Melbourne jockey Jordan Childs will ride Adelaide River, currently a $26 chance for the Caulfield 2400m Group 1 feature.

“Adelaide River ran fourth (to Deny Knowledge, Mr Brightside and Atishu) in the Group 1 wfa Might And Power Stakes, 2000m at Caulfield 12 months ago,” leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“He didn’t race during the autumn because of bone bruising, and being a big, heavy horse the decision was made to geld him.

“He has come back a different horse, and Kris feels he has a great chance in the Cup.”

Adelaide River was narrowly pipped by Cup rival Birdman in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 20 before heading south and finishing seventh in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4.

“He was left in front that day and it didn’t suit, but still ran a great race,” Greer said.

“Adelaide River has done well since, comes back to a handicap tomorrow, and as an Irish Derby runner-up (to Auguste Rodin), is well placed with 54kg.

“We’re looking forward to him running well, and continuing on to the Melbourne Cup (3200m), along with stablemate Changingoftheguard.”

Whilst Lees will be at Caulfield to saddle Adelaide River, the stable will have two runners at the corresponding Royal Randwick meeting.

Stable apprentice Ben Osmond rides Loch Eagle in the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m), and James McDonald partners Lord Of Biscay in the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m).

“Lord Of Biscay qualified for the Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 4 by winning the Ballina Cup earlier this year, and this is our last chance to also get Loch Eagle into the race,” Greer said.

“Loch Eagle has paid the penalty for good performances, but Ben will take 2kg off his back and won on him over this course and distance in June,” Greer said.

“He is resuming, but has twice won first-up, has had two nice trials to have him ready for this, and likes Randwick.

“James McDonald’s decision to stick with Lord Of Biscay is a good pointer.

“The gelding pulled up slightly lame after his latest run at Rosehill, but recovered quickly enough.

“In a capacity field Lord Of Biscay has drawn well, and this will be his final start before the Big Dance.”

Lees has three runners – Brave Call (Class 3 Plate, 1810m), Imposant (Class 3 Plate, 1400m), and Dream Hour (Class 6 Handicap, 1600m) – at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

“Brave Call and Imposant look particularly well placed,” Greer said.

“Brave Call was good when resuming at Doomben a fortnight ago over 1600m, and the extra distance and bigger track are in his favor.

“Imposant also was good when runner-up at the same Doomben meeting.

“She was held up for a time before getting out in the straight, but the winner (Freeland) had the momentum up wide on the track.

“Imposant is racing well and gets her chance to clinch another win.

“Dream Hour hasn’t yet recaptured the form which saw him win The Gateway (1400m) at Eagle Farm in December 2023 and earned him a start in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap the following year (ninth to Stefi Magnetica).

“We tried him at 1600m when we first got him from a Victorian stable in 2023 and he performed well.

“Dream Hour likes Eagle Farm and is not without a chance if he can settle off a good speed and finish off.”

Story John Curtis, October 17, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos