LORD’S MELBOURNE PLANS STIFLED BY WET WEATHER

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KRIS Lees’ Melbourne plans with Provincial-Midway Championships Final winner Lord Of Biscay are up in the air.

The leading Newcastle trainer sent the gelding south only to be greeted by heavy rain in the lead-up to tomorrow’s Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

Already the track is a ‘Heavy 9’ and unlikely to improve with more rain expected.

“The meeting is apparently in some doubt and may even be postponed,” Lees said this morning.

“Lord Of Biscay doesn’t like heavy ground, and I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

“There is another race (Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes, 1400m) at Caulfield next Saturday as an alternative if we don’t run at Flemington.

“I sent Lord Of Biscay to Melbourne as I felt he would be struggling to get a start in the $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens next Saturday.”

Lees has four acceptors at tomorrow’s Epsom Handicap meeting at Royal Randwick – but only two may run.

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Loch Eagle (Chad Schofield), Zaphod (Jason Collett) and You Wahng (apprentice Will Stanley) all are in the Benchmark 94 Handicap (1600m), and Rivellino (Tim Clark) is in the 1200m Benchmark 94 Handicap.

“Loch Eagle will run only if there is rain overnight,” Lees said.

“Zaphod and You Wahng can sprint well fresh with Zaphod the better chance as he has drawn much better than the stablemate.

“Rivellino has drawn poorly, and we might wait for another day.

“He has had throat surgery, and there’s no hurry with him.”

Barazin (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 2218m), Tasoraay (One Metropolitan Win Handicap, 1400m) and Power Of The Brave (Open Handicap, 1000m) are Lees’ Eagle Farm representatives tomorrow on a good track.

Michael Rodd rides both Barazin and Tasoraay, and Cejay Graham partners Power Of The Brave.

“Barazin has been placed at his last two runs in Benchmark 85 Handicaps, and is back in grade,” Lees said.

“Tasoraay was a dual acceptor, and looks suited especially if he can get his own way in front.

“He won a trial at Beaudesert last week since being transferred to our Gold Coast base after a first-up Sydney resumption over an unsuitable 1200m.

“I have taken blinkers off Power Of The Brave just trying to change things up a bit, but he has drawn awkwardly.”

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Tavi Time trialled well over 1030m when fourth at Rosehill this morning, and will go next to the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) at Randwick on October 17.

Under Focus was super when just nabbed for second in the $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill last Saturday, and has come through the race well.

“Not definite but I’m hoping to take him to Melbourne for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington at the end of the month,” Lees said.

“Night Agent (last start impressive Randwick winner) will trial on Wednesday and go next to either the Listed Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 17 or a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m) the same day.

“Changingoftheguard still can’t get rid of a dirty cough he has had since the Newcastle Cup (2300m) a fortnight ago.

“He is a first acceptor for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in a fortnight, but won’t run.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 2, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS