PROVINCIAL TRAINERS RIVALS IN GROUP 1 AUSTRALIAN OAKS

PROVINCIAL trainers Kris Lees (Newcastle) and Marc Chevalier (Hawkesbury) will be rivals in the chase for Group 1 glory at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Whereas the leading Newcastle trainer is looking for his 19^th victory at racing’s elite level in the $1m Australian Oaks (2400m) on Day 2 of The Championships, Chevalier is seeking his first.

Lees will back up last Saturday’s Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) placegetter Satono Invader, whilst Chevalier takes Stand My Ground (pictured) to the three-year-old fillies’ classic.

Twelve fillies were accepted for the Oaks this morning, with Satono Invader drawing barrier six and Stand My Ground the outside.

Whilst Tyler Schiller rode Satono Invader in the Adrian Knox, he committed to staying with Stand My Ground, so Lees has booked Jason Collett.

Both fillies are lightly-raced; the Oaks will be Satono Invader’s eighth start, and only the fourth for Stand My Ground.

“Satono Invader followed up her good form with an excellent third last Saturday,” Lees said this morning.

“She has pulled up well, and deserves the opportunity to run in the Oaks.”

After Satono Invader won weaker class races at Taree (February 13) and Coffs Harbour (March 1), she ran ninth to Feminino (who ran 11^th in the Adrian Knox) in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) on March 13.

She wasn’t suited in a slowly run race, and was beaten just over two lengths.

Chevalier also is looking forward to running Stand My Ground, who has trained on well since her gutsy fifth to New Zealand filly Belle Cheval in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28.

As a $101 outsider, she made all the running and was beaten less than a length at her first Group 1 attempt.

Stand My Ground had come off a Super Maiden Plate (1600m) breakthrough at Newcastle on March 12.

“Stand My Ground worked over 1600m at home last Saturday morning and again this morning, and will do some pacework on Thursday morning,” Chevalier said.

“I’m pleased that Tyler (Schiller), who has ridden the filly in her last two runs, is sticking with her.

“I knew he rode Satono Invader in the Adrian Knox, and his manager later confirmed his booking for my filly.

“The Oaks will definitely be Stand My Ground’s grand final this preparation.

“She won’t be going on to the Brisbane winter carnival.

“Stand My Ground is a big filly, and we want to look after her.

“Being so lightly raced, I’m sure she will be even better next season as a four-year-old.”

Whilst winning an Oaks won’t be easy at only Stand My Ground’s fourth start, it’s worth noting Strictly Business brilliantly won the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington last spring at her fourth appearance.

Meanwhile, Lees also has another Group 1 runner in Changingoftheguard in Saturday’s $2m Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).

Jason Collett, who rode the import when ninth in last Saturday’s Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick, again has the mount.

Changingoftheguard drew barrier three in a field of 16, and drops from 58kg to 55.5kg.

Lees did not accept with recent Auckland Cup placegetter Age Of Sail, who ran eighth in the Chairman’s and will go for a spell.

He did not accept with either last year’s Queensland Oaks winner You Wahng or Kind Words for the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m), where Hawkesbury trainer Mike Van Gestel has the lone provincial representative Dark Glitter, to be ridden by Dylan Gibbons.

Melbourne ace Damian Lane rides lightly-raced two-year-old filly She’s Extra in the $1m Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) against her own age and sex.

Lees, chasing his sixth victory in the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) on Saturday, has completed his riding engagements for his three representatives.

He has booked Tommy Berry for Miss Busslinger, who joins last year’s Final second and third placegetters Lord Of Biscay (James McDonald) and Imposant (Tyler Schiller).

Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup will be represented by Nashville Jack (Berry) in the $1m Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 7,2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS