“SAIL” LIKELY LEES’ WYONG CUP HOPE

KRIS Lees is likely to rely on Age Of Sail as he chases a second Wyong Gold Cup tomorrow.

The leading Newcastle trainer accepted with both Cleveland (Dylan Gibbons) and Age Of Sail (Regan Bayliss) in the $250,000 Listed feature to be run over 2100m.

Lees, who won the Cup in 2016 with $21 outsider Slow Pace, ridden by Robert Thompson, says he will wait until just before the Friday morning 7.30 scratching deadline before making a final decision, but is leaning toward Age Of Sail as his sole representative.

“At this stage Cleveland will probably go to Royal Randwick on Saturday for the Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m),” he said this morning.

“Age Of Sail is a definite lightweight chance in the Wyong Cup.

“He ran well when third to Royal Supremacy in the Cup Prelude (2000m) at Wyong on a heavy track on August 17.

“That was his first run since the Sydney Cup (3200m) in April, and he has taken nice improvement from it.

“Age Of Sail drops 3.5kg, and a better track tomorrow is in his favour.”

If Cleveland bypasses Wyong, he will join stablemate Changingoftheguard (James McDonald) in Saturday’s City Tatts Club Cup.

“Cleveland is resuming and obviously will take benefit from this run, but he can run a nice race all the same.

“Changingoftheguard however is definitely our top chance.

“He ran really well when runner-up at Flemington over 2530m five weeks ago, and has been ticking over nicely.

“I’m really pleased with how he is going.”

Changingoftheguard is one of four Lees’ entries for the $10m Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.

“Provided he runs as well as I expect on Saturday, he will go to The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4,” Lees said.

“The Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) in a fortnight is not out of the question, but most likely it will be The Metropolitan.”

Adelaide River (Dylan Gibbons) lines up in the Group 2 wfa Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick for his second start this campaign.

“I’m not expecting him to win, but feel he will run better on a more suitable track,” Lees said.

“I’m still defining what is his best distance.”

Lees considers he has found a suitable assignment for Wisnierska, who was placed at Randwick two starts back when resuming.

She will be floated north overnight for Saturday’s 3YO Handicap (1200m) at Doomben.

The three-year-old filly has only 52kg, and will be ridden by Winona Costin.

“I’m putting blinkers on her for a little change up, and feel they will suit her.

“With the light weight and starting from the rails barrier, I’m sure she will run well.”

Lees also starts Little Beginnings (Andrew Mallyon) in the Class 6 Handicap (1350m), where he has drawn awkwardly.

“He was disappointing first-up, but is normally very consistent and can definitely improve.”

Story John Curtis, September 4, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos