LEES HELLBENT ON ANOTHER EAGLE FARM SUCCESS

KRIS Lees has called on his Group 1 Queensland Oaks winning jockey Tommy Berry to provide him with another Eagle Farm success on Saturday.

After snaring the Oaks (2200m) with You Wahng last Saturday, the pair will join forces with lightly-raced youngster Damien in the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1200m).

A winner at two of his only four starts, Damien this morning was a $5.50 second favorite as he attempts to remain unbeaten in Queensland.

The Hellbent colt had the addition of blinkers when he won a midweek 1200m 2YO Handicap at Doomben on May 28 when he carried 59kg.

He drops 2kg under the set weights conditions of the Oxlade.

“Damien did a really good job at Doomben as he didn’t get any favours,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“He was posted wide and still was able to win.

“Damien has trained on well since that race, and has drawn well enough at Eagle Farm in a big field.

“We’re expecting him to give a good account of himself again.”

Whilst Damien is Lees’ sole Eagle Farm representative, he has four acceptors at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow – but there are doubts about both First Person and Kind Words lining up from wide barriers.

“We’ll keep our options open with both horses, and see what the scratchings are in the morning prior to the 7.30am deadline before making final decisions,” Greer said.

“Kind Words would have been hard to beat if she had drawn an inside gate.

“She is going well and is ready to win again.”

The stable will definitely start Tasoraay (Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1400m) and Changingoftheguard (Listed Winter Cup, 2400m).

Dylan Gibbons will ride both horses.

“Tasoraay was good winning first-up at the Scone carnival last month, and Kris has given him time before starting him again,” Greer said.

“It’s a step up again but he won his Maiden on the Beaumont track last December before going for a break, and has a good chance to claim a hat-trick.

“Kris decided to run import Changingoftheguard first-up in the Winter Cup at 2400m because he doesn’t consider anything shorter is suitable.

“Changingoftheguard hasn’t raced since late September when runner-up in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at Rosehill, and was sharp enough in winning his 1200m trial on the Beaumont track on June 2.

“Kris intends to give him this one run and then back off him for the spring, and it will be no surprise to see him run well.”

. Oakfield Duke and Powerful Peg will oppose each other in the Provincial Benchmark 68 Handicap (1250m) tomorrow at Newcastle, where the rail is out three metres.

Aaron Bullock rides Oakfield Duke, and apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald claims 2kg on Powerful Peg, who comes back to the provincials after regular metropolitan assignments.

Story John Curtis, June 13, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos