LORD PERHAPS A “CUT” ABOVE HIS PMC FINAL RIVALS

IT’S termed the unkindest cut of all – but could be the capitalist for Kris Lees snaring another Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Royal Randwick tomorrow.

Chasing his sixth success in the annual feature, Lees says gelding Lord Of Biscay has been instrumental in his form surge this campaign.

That, combined with jockey James McDonald’s booking, has the gelding challenging for favoritism in the $1m PMC Final (1400m).

The Australian Bloodstock-raced import is one of three Lees’ representatives; the others being the mares Imposant (Jason Collett) and Kind Words (Jamie Melham).

“I’ve thought all along Lord Of Biscay was a potential Provincial-Midway Championships horse,” Lees said this morning.

“We gave him two runs last winter, and then decided to geld him.

“No doubt it has been the making of him.”

After winning over 1400m at the Gold Coast’s opening night meeting on December 20 and trouncing his rivals in the Big Dance Eligibility Ballina Cup (1590m) on January 17, Lees then focused on the Provincial-Midway series.

The five-year-old was responsible for a huge performance when, after racing wide from an awkward draw, was edged out by Welcometobarbados in a Newcastle Qualifier (1400m) on March 1.

Third placegetter Matcha Latte, whom Lord Of Biscay is challenging for favoritism, confirmed the form by winning another Newcastle Qualifier (1400m) 19 days later.

“Lord Of Biscay is in great shape,” Lees said. “The break between runs has suited him, and he had a nice tick-over trial (close second to PMC Finalist Rapt) at home last week.

“He has drawn well and I expect him to be hard to beat.”

Lees won three Provincial Championships (Danish Twist in 2016, Serene Miss in 2018 and Cristal Breeze in 2021), and then a further two with Kinloch (2022) and Spangler (2023) when Midway trainers also became eligible.

Like Lord Of Biscay, Lees’ other pair Imposant (Kembla Grange Qualifier winner) and Kind Words (third in Matcha Latte’s Newcastle Qualifier) also drew well.

“Imposant was strong at the end in winning at Kembla Grange and is a definite place chance, whilst the 1400m is perhaps a bit short for Kind Words, but she has class and definitely not to be underestimated.”

Lees’ Sydney Cup pair Cleveland and Age Of Sail were both cleared to contest the $2m Group 1 (3200m) after routine RacingNSW vet checks this morning.

Jamie Melham rides Cleveland, an encouraging fourth to Cup favorite Alalcance in the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 at his first run since October, and Dylan Gibbons partners Age Of Sail, also fourth to the same horse in last Saturday’s Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick.

“The wide barrier has dented our confidence a bit with Cleveland, but he is in great order and has a handy weight (51.5kg) for a horse of his ability (he won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup in October 2023 with 55.5kg).

“Age Of Sail drew the rails last week, and is out with Cleveland this time. Clearly he is going to need some luck, but capable of running well again.”

Lees says You Wahng (Craig Williams) deserves her chance in the $1m Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) after her third in last week’s traditional lead-up, the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m).

That was the So You Think filly’s only fifth start, and her first attempt at 2000m.

“You Wahng gives every indication she will back up and handle the 2400m,” Lees said.

“The favorite (Treasurethe Moment) looks to have a mortgage on the race, but you never know?”

Lees also runs Infancy (Jason Collett) in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m).

“She is big odds, but I can’t fault her,” he said. “Infancy likes Randwick and is well drawn.”