Search

show me:

Lees Team Chasing Three Cups

3 minute read

Australian racing's most prized trophy - the Melbourne Cup - is obviously Kris Lees' main focus this week but he is also chasing other trophies at Muswellbrook and Hawkesbury.

Picture: Racing and Sports

Pitt Street will be his representative in tomorrow's $50,000 Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m), whilst Brook Road is seeking a consolation of sorts in Thursday's $100,000 Listed Ladies' Day Cup (1400m) at Hawkesbury.

Brook Road should have been at Flemington on Tuesday alongside stablemate and Melbourne Cup contender Lucia Valentina.

She was to have contested the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) - a Group 3 event for mares worth $200,000 - but unfortunately was balloted out and stayed at home.

Andrew`Gibbons rides Pitt Street at Muswellbrook, whilst Brenton Avdulla partners Brook Road at Hawkesbury.

"Pitt Street is very genuine, but isn't a great weight carrier (he has 59kg)," Lees said.

"Still, he is in good form and if he can get a decent run from an awkward alley, I'm sure he'll run well again."

Pitt Street last year won the Walcha Cup (1440m) and earlier this year also snared the Tamworth Cup (1400m).

The seven-year-old has been placed at all three runs since resuming, including a first-up third at $101 at Rosehill in mid-September.

Both subsequent runs at Muswellbrook have yielded seconds in the Denman Cup (1280m) and South Muswellbrook Cup (1450m).

Lees also runs recent Scone winner Long Lasting (Gibbons) in the Skellatar Sprint (1000m) at Muswellbrook.

Brook Road has been runner-up at both Sydney starts since being purchased by Australian Bloodstock and joining Lees' stable.

She was edged out by the well-performed Avoid Lightning in the Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) at Randwick on October 18.

"We kept her back at home to see if she got a start at Flemington tomorrow, but didn't make the cut," Lees said.

However, stablemate Onemorezeta - unbeaten at both runs this preparation - has gone to Melbourne and will start at Flemington on Thursday, with Damien Oliver her rider.

She has drawn barrier eight in a field of 16 plus three emergencies in the $200,000 Group 3 Gucci Stakes (1100m) against her own age and sex.

Former New Zealand mare Hera, who beat her stablemate Fine Bubbles at Rosehill last Saturday, has almost certainly concluded her latest campaign.

"I will probably spell her now," Lees said. "I only intended to give her a light spring and look to Sydney in the autumn."


Racing and Sports

Imagine what you could be buying instead.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au