Randwick’s feature summer meeting has long been a happy hunting ground for Kris Lees, and the Newcastle trainer will again be strongly represented with runners across three of the four stakes races on Saturday.
Lees has enjoyed notable success at the meeting over the past decade, winning The Ingham (1600m) with Loch Eagle (2023) and Sense Of Occasion (2016), along with the Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) via Special Reward (2021) and Zestful (2017).
This weekend he saddles runners in both races again, with consistent sprinter Brudenell heading his Razor Sharp team after two close-up efforts, including a last-start third in The Hunter (1300m) on home soil.
“He’s up in the weights a bit these days but he’s had four weeks between runs, and he races well like that,” Lees said.
“He was good in The Hunter. It’s probably a slight drop in grade and he needs the right run from a tricky gate (13), albeit it’s not the worst start at Randwick.”
Loch Eagle is joined by Tavi Time and You Whang in The Ingham, with weather likely to determine which of the trio represents Lees’ best hope.
“Tavi Time doesn’t need the rain, Loch Eagle needs the rain and You Whang (21), she probably needs a bit of luck from the gate,” Lees said.
“She may also need one more run. She is going well, and she is being targeted at the Magic Millions.”
Age Of Sail completes the stable’s stakes runners in the Listed Christmas Cup (2400m) after finishing fourth to Asterix in The Beauford (2300m).
Lees believes the import finds the right race to secure his first Sydney Saturday victory since arriving in Australia.
“It looks a nice race for him,” Lees said.
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