LEES GETS WILLIAMS ON BOARD FOR CAULFIELD GUINEAS

GUN Melbourne jockey Craig Williams will ride Newcastle colt Rivellino in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Leading trainer Kris Lees confirmed Williams’ booking for the $3m feature before flying to Melbourne this evening to watch his three-year-old gallop in the morning at Caulfield.

However, Williams won’t partner Rivellino in his gallop as he will be in Sydney to partner 20-times winner and near $18m earner Mr Brightside in a star-studded The Everest and King Charles 111 1000m trial (featuring Hong Kong champ Ka Ying Rising) on the Royal Randwick course proper.

Rivellino was floated to Melbourne last Wednesday with stablemates Adelaide River and Cleveland, and has settled in well to his new surroundings.

Meanwhile, stablemate Changingoftheguard has come through unscathed from an incident in last Saturday’s Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick.

The import’s rider Ethan Brown eased the gelding out of the race after he struck the heels of Travolta passing the 400m and blundered badly.

“It’s hard to say if he would have been in the finish, but he was going well when the incident happened,” Lees said this afternoon.

“Thankfully he is okay and will continue his Melbourne Cup campaign.”

Lees nominated Changingoftheguard for Saturday’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield, but he won’t run.

“He will either stay here for the Group 3 ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick on Saturday week, or head south for the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 22,” Lees said.

“Whichever he contests at this stage will be his final lead-up to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.”

Lees has booked Melbourne jockey Jordan Childs for Adelaide River in Saturday week’s $5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Adelaide River was just pipped by Birdman in the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on September 20 before finishing seventh, after racing up on the speed, to new Melbourne Cup favorite Sir Delius in last Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

“I thought his run was super, and he has pulled up well,” Lees said.

“He drew worse than midfield at Flemington, and we’re hoping for a favorable barrier for the Cup.”

Adelaide River carried 55kg in the set weights plus penalties Turnbull, and drops 1kg under the handicap conditions of the Cup.

He is currently 21^st in order of ballot (49 horses remain), and seems certain to make the field of 18 (plus four emergencies).

Age Of Sail has been entered for both Friday’s Big Dance Eligibility Port Macquarie Cup (2000m), and a Benchmark 88 Handicap over the same distance at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

. Australian Bloodstock’s Group 1 The Metropolitan winner and Newcastle Gold Cup runner-up Royal Supremacy has been penalised 1.5kg to 52.5kg for Saturday week’s $5m Caulfield Cup (2400m).

He has risen seven places to be 26^th in order of ballot at present.

Story John Curtis, October 6, 2025