LEES ON HAND FOR “GUARD’S” FLEMINGTON MISSION

KRIS Lees will be on hand at Flemington tomorrow to gauge Changingoftheguard’s spring prospects.

The Irish import, a Royal Ascot carnival winner over 2406m three years ago, lines up in the 2530m Quality with Jamie Melham aboard.

A lightly-raced seven-year-old, Changingoftheguard has started 13 times – four of them in Australia since joining Lees’ team.

The leading Newcastle trainer sent him south as there wasn’t a suitable longer distance event in Sydney.

“Changingoftheguard travelled to Melbourne earlier in the week and has settled in well,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“Kris is flying there in the morning for the race.

“If Changingoftheguard levels up tomorrow, it will give us a good guide to his chances in better races during the spring.

“At this stage, he is coming back home afterwards.”

In an open affair despite the small field, Changingoftheguard was a $7 chance this morning with TAB.com.au.

Changingoftheguard has raced only once this preparation when eighth to Sir Lucan in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on June 14 at his first start since finishing second in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) there on September 28 last year.

He has since had a tick-over 1200m trial at Gosford on July 23, finishing third to stablemate and fellow import Adelaide River.

Lees has only the one runner at tomorrow’s corresponding Rosehill meeting – First Person (Kerrin McEvoy) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

“First Person has drawn the rails and will love the wet conditions, and the last time she drew the inside barrier at Rosehill she ran an excellent race (runner-up to Liberty State against her own sex on May 31),” Greer said.

“She had no luck last time from the outside barrier at Canterbury, and had a nice tick-over trial at Gosford last week.”

Lees has both Zaphod and Hawker Hall lining up at tomorrow’s Eagle Farm meeting.

Andrew Mallyon rides Zaphod, who will race minus blinkers in the Benchmark 90 Handicap (1815m).

“Zaphod was left in front last time when third at Royal Randwick, and wasn’t suited,” Greer said.

“He was successful at Eagle Farm last December, and will get his chance if he can get a nice sit behind the pace.

“Kris scratched Hawker Hall (Robbie Dolan) from the Class 3 Handicap (1000m) for a couple of reasons to run in the stronger Class 6 Plate (1200m).

“He drew awkwardly in the Class 3, and has a soft gate in the Class 6.

“Also at this stage of his preparation the 1200m fits in nicely, having raced over 1300m in Sydney and then 1110m at Doomben when he won on July 12.

“Obviously it’s a much stronger race but his good draw puts him there with a decent chance.”

. Changingoftheguard isn’t the only provincial runner at the Flemington meeting.

Kembla Grange trainer Ross McConville has his pacy sprinter South Of India engaged in the Benchnmark 84 Handicap (1100m).

He has booked apprentice Logan Bates to take 2kg off the gelding’s 61kg topweight.

South Of India has won six of his 13 starts, and was fourth to Romeo’s Choice in the July Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 19 at his latest essay.

Story John Curtis, August 1, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos