LEES KEEN TO MAKE IT EIGHTH TIME LUCKY IN THE HUNTER
KRIS Lees has had runners in all seven runnings of his home track’s richest race – and been placed in four of them.
He will be back at Broadmeadow on Saturday keen to get a breakthrough in the eighth edition of the $1m The Hunter (1300m). with hopefully three representatives.
The leading Newcastle trainer nominated four horses for the Listed feature, and prior to acceptances tomorrow morning, intends to have Brudenell, Lord Of Biscay and Infancy in the field.
“The only booking confirmed just yet is Jason Collett for Infancy, who is in foal to Anamoe and nearing the end of her racing career.
“This isn’t necessarily her last run before retiring. She may have another depending on how she performs on Saturday.
“Brudenell and Lord Of Biscay will be acceptors as well.
“Lord Of Biscay also has been nominated for the 1300m Benchmark 94 Handicap, and hopefully he makes the field for The Hunter.
“Otherwise he will run in the other race.
“I did nominate Rivellino for both The Hunter and the Benchmark 94 Handicap, but am inclined to wait another week for the $1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.”
Lees ran second – with Tactical Advantage, Special Reward and Wandabaa – in the first three runnings (2019, 20 and 21) of The Hunter, then finished third with $41 roughie Brudenell last year.
Tactical Advantage, Special Reward and Wandabaa all raced in the Australian Bloodstock colours, as do Infancy and Lord Of Biscay.
He also started Gem Song (12th in 2022), Rustic Steel (fifth in both 2023 and 2024), and Infancy (eighth) also ran last year along with Brudenell.
Lees will run Bestower in the Listed The Beauford (2300m), and also plans to accept with unraced two-year-olds Bronze Lion and Inside Perfection for the Max Lees Classic (900m).
Bronze Lion, a Tassort colt, beat Stay Inside filly Inside Perfection in an 800m Gosford trial on October 28.
Meanwhile, Lees has brought both Tavi Time and You Wahnghome after their Melbourne Cup carnival runs at Flemington last week.
Tavi Time started favorite when seventh in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes (1600m) last Thursday, and You Wahng($31) also was seventh, in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) last Saturday.
“Tavi Time was disappointing, but pulled up well,” Lees said.
“We’ve got him home, and will decide where to go with him next.
“You Wahng was exposed perhaps a bit early, but ran well in a strong race for mares.
“She will go to the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 28.”
. Newcastle and Hunter Racing Hall of Famer Peter Snowden’s King Of Roseau is the early favorite at $5.50 with TAB.com.au for The Hunter, narrowly ahead of General Salute ($6), and Infancy and Pericles are at $9.
Brisbane visitor Kickup Rocky is a dominant $2.30 favorite for the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m), whilst Bestower ($4.50) is third favorite for The Beauford behind Savvy Spy ($2.30) and Zuleika ($3.50).
STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 10, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS
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