LEES SENDS IMPORT SOUTH FOR FLEMINGTON ASSIGNMENT

LACK of suitable distance races in Sydney has influenced Kris Lees to chase a Melbourne target with Changingoftheguard on Saturday.

And the leading Newcastle trainer, who has won another local premiership, has called on Jamie Melham to ride the Irish import  in the 2500m Quality Handicap at Flemington.

“There aren’t any long distance races for him locally,” Lees said this morning.

“Whilst this race doesn’t carry any exemption in terms of the Cups, at least it is 2500m.”

Changingoftheguard has raced once this preparation when eighth to Sir Lucan in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on June 14.

That was his first start since finishing second to First Light in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) at that track on September 28 last year.

A Group 2 winner over 2406m at the Royal Ascot carnival in 2022, Changingoftheguard has raced only four times in Australia.

The rising seven-year-old ran third to stablemate Adelaide River in a 1200m Open trial at Gosford last Wednesday.

Lees also nominated Adelaide River for the Flemington race, but he is likely to stay home and resume in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.

Adelaide River has won both his trials since being gelded and returning to work.

Prior to his barnstorming Gosford win last week (when ridden by James McDonald), he also trounced three rivals in a 1200m Open heat at Wyong on June 16, with Dylan Gibbons aboard.

“Really happy with Adelaide River,” Lees said. “I’m looking forward to getting him back to the races.”

Stablemate Brudenell was another impressive trial winner at Gosford last week, and he too is headed for the Randwick meeting on Saturday week.

His target is the $300,000 Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m), to be run at weight-for-age.

Inglis Millennium winner Rivellino also trialled at Gosford last Wednesday, and will trial again next Tuesday before beginning his three-year-old season.

Provincial-Midway Championships runner-up Lord Of Biscay was another Gosford trialler, and also will have a second trial before beginning a new campaign.

Lees has sent Erin Jo, the last foal of his former dual Group 1 winning mare Lucia Valentina (who died nearly 12 months ago), to the paddock.

She ran second in a 1000m 2YO heat at Gosford, but her trainer has decided not to continue with her for now.

“Erin Jo is still a bit backward and needs more time,” Lees said.

A daughter of champion sire I Am Invincible, Erin Jo was bred in New Zealand and was purchased by the John Singleton Group for $700,000 at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale in Sydney.

“Singo” races the two-year-old filly in partnership with media personality Erin Molan.

. Newcastle Jockey Club has issued the final premiership standings and Max Lees and Bill Wade Medals result for the 2024-25 season.

They are:

TRAINERS

Kris Lees 22 wins

Annabel & Rob Archibald 16

Chris Walller 15

Nathan Doyle 13

Paul Perry 10

Mark Minervini 10

Michael Freedman 9

JOCKEYS

Keagan Latham 20

Jean Van Overmeire 13

Lee Magorrian 12

Tommy Berry 12

Andrew Gibbons 12

Aaron Bullock 11

APPRENTICES

Braith Nock 10

Mitch Stapleford 6

William Stanley 6

Zac Wadick 5

Ben Osmond 5

Mollie Fitzgerald 5

MAX LEES MEDAL (best strike rate with minimum 40 runners)

Annabel & Rob Archibald 16/77 (4.81)

Nathan Doyle 13/63 (4.85)

Mark Minervini 10/56 (5.60)

Kris Lees 22/126 (5.73)

BILL WADE MEDAL (best s/r with minimum 40 rides)

Aaron Bullock 11/57 (5.18)

Lee Magorrian 10/55 (5.50)

Alysha Collett 8/46 (5.75)

Keagan Latham 20/130 (6.50)

Ash Morgan 8/54 (6.75)

. HOOFNOTE: Coffs Harbour Racing Club received 21 entries for Friday’s $150,000 Cup (1600m) at the Showcase meeting, but unusually there are no provincial horses amongst them.

Oakfield Duke (Kris Lees) is the sole provincial entry for the Daniel Baker Sprint (1200m), and the trainer also has entered Barazin, Rogue Bear and Zaphod for the Ken Howard Cup (2000m).

Story John Curtis, July 28, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos