Kris Lees etched a highlight in his storied training legacy as Changingoftheguard set the pace wire-to-wire for victory in the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) over Royal Randwick’s track on Saturday.
Boasting ownership from a powerhouse syndicate including Lloyd and Nick Williams, the $51 chance was perfectly positioned by Jason Collett at the head of affairs, seeing off all comers in the grueling stayers’ battle.
It has been 20 years to the day since Lees first prevailed in the Sydney Cup aboard his trusty County Tyrone.
“When County Tyrone won the Sydney Cup it was one of my biggest thrills in racing, ” Lees said. “But I would have to say this is just as big a thrill. ”
Lees had earlier tallied his sixth in the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final, sweeping the quinella via Lord Of Biscay ahead of barnmate Imposant.
The esteemed Newcastle handler, whom Nick Williams calls the “nicest guy in racing,” revealed the Changingoftheguard Sydney Cup as a career-defining feat.
“It is exciting just to train for them (Team Williams), ” Lees said.
“Nick is a really good mate and to train for LLoyd and to win a prestigious race like this is a huge thrill. ”
Lloyd Williams, a Hall of Fame inductee with seven Melbourne Cup strikes, added a fifth Sydney Cup with Changingoftheguard to his tally, following Gallante (2016), Mourayan (2013), Gallic (2007), and Major Drive (1987).
The $51 Changingoftheguard echoed the biggest Sydney Cup shock since 200/1 Murray King dominated 100 years ago, prevailing by half a neck over Soul Of Spain ($8) with Highland Bling ($17) third, beaten a short neck.
River Of Stars, crunched into $5 favoritism, loomed menacingly turning for home yet faded badly to seventh.
Out of Galileo, one of history’s premier sires, Changingoftheguard kicked off with Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, winning thrice in nine starts notably the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and fifth to Desert Crown in the 2022 English Derby.
Subsequently purchased by Lloyd and Nick Williams, the horse joined Lees’ stable.
Changingoftheguard managed only 13 starts in close to three years with Lees, enhancing his ability each time out; the prior spring saw him take the City Tattersalls Club Cup and ninth behind Half Yours in the Melbourne Cup.
“He ran a bold race in the Melbourne Cup and we said after that we would save the blinkers for the Sydney Cup, ” Lees said. “They were always going on, we were just trying to wait for today. It was a good plan and I’m happy we got the result.
“It’s a great thrill to win in those colours too. What a lovely, rated ride by Jason (Collet), I thought he was actually going too slow.
“He got him back to 14 (second sectionals), the horse goes quicker in trackwork most mornings, but they upped the ante when they came up around him and it was really pleasing. “
Collett had questioned Changingoftheguard post his ninth in last week’s Chairman’s Quality but Lees’ race eve chat reignited his optimism.
“Kris said to me before the race that on the wet track last week the horse’s ‘wheels spun’, ” Collett said.
“Then Kris said if the horse finds the bridle he’ll want to do it and he did. It was very lonely down the back straight, but I loved it though.
“It’s a good feeling when a horse gets in a good rhythm like that. We don’t get too many opportunities here in Australia over these distances. “
As Changingoftheguard dug in against Newlook down the straight’s early stages, Collett sensed momentum shift.
“When he didn’t throw in the towel I thought ‘that’s a change’, ” Collett said. So that definitely gave me some confidence and although it’s a long straight, it’s pretty cool to win a Sydney Cup. ”
Tommy Berry excelled on near-miss Soul Of Spain, musing on barrier misfortune. “Soul Of Spain did a massive effort from the barrier. If he draws a gate, he arguably wins but the winner has done a good job in front as well, ” Berry said.
Highland Bling, sparingly raced with autumn placings in the Adelaide Cup and here, drew strong endorsement from Ben Thompson. “It was a great run by Highland Bling, ” Thompson said.
“At start 16 it feels like he’s got a stack of scope left. To run third in this grade
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