Kris Lees will highlight a duo of gifted three-year-olds in his Anzac Day lineup at Randwick, following news that Lord Of Biscay takes his place in the Tamworth Cup.

Winner of the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, the gelding Lord Of Biscay leads early betting for Saturday’s First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m), though Lees reveals he will journey to Tamworth a day ahead.

"It looks a nice race for him," Lees said of the Tamworth Cup, which carries Big Dance eligibility.

Lees, riding high from an excellent autumn featuring Changingoftheguard’s long-shot success in the Sydney Cup, seeks to identify future stars in Night Agent and Cantiamo.

He elects to reduce Night Agent’s distance to 1400m in the Last Post Handicap on Saturday, interested in his level of form.

After two triumphs, the gelding debuts on Sydney Saturdays, having powered home by 10 lengths at a country meet on Beaumont and then claiming a 1500m midweek metro race at Hawkesbury.

"It was a Cessnock meeting, with all due respect," Lees said of Night Agent’s win two starts ago.

"Still, he did it convincingly and won well. Then he went to a Hawkesbury metro and won well. He was just a little aggressive early and it took its toll late, although he still won.
“But we decided to drop him back to 1400. It’s probably a more appropriate distance at the moment."

Cantiamo has been a firm favourite of Lees, who has entered her in stakes events repeatedly, including a brave sixth in her last start, the P J Bell Stakes (1200m).

In The Third Australian General Hospital Handicap (1200m) against more experienced mares, Lees tips her to dominate, with sights set on the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1200m) at Scone come May 16.

"That would be the plan if she runs well. It’s in three weeks so she can have a freshen and drop back in trip," Lees said.

"We tried her in stakes company a few times and she has been competitive without winning. It’s a little drop back in grade and she is going really well."

Valorous Power joins Night Agent but remains in adjustment phase per Lees, building fitness, as Zaphod and Kind Words pose credible dangers in the Anzac Day Cup (1800m).

Lees pins his greatest faith on the three-year-olds for victories.

"Cantiamo and Night Agent are two really nice horses and they’ll both run well," he said.

Discover leading racing betting markets ahead of the key Anzac Day handicaps at Randwick.