Lees Chasing New Year's Day Double

Newcastle Herald

Tuesday January 1, 2008

By GEOFF WILSON

IN-FORM Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will be hoping to build on his post-equine influenza record when he starts two horses at Randwick this afternoon.

Lees has made every post a winner since his horses have resumed after the equine influenza outbreak which so badly disrupted racing when it hit on August 25.

Since the resumption Lees has a record of 10 winners from 20 starters, and none of his runners have finished worse than fourth.

This is the first time in the history of racing in Australia that trainers have had to come up with a regime to counter the effects of EI.

"The EI crisis has changed a lot of things, but I suppose I have had the advantage that none of my horses were affected by the virus," Lees said. "Some of the other stables have had to get horses back to health then get them fit after the disease.

"I will say that I have carefully picked which horses would run and in which races. That is the only secret, if that is what you could call it.

"The horses have all raced well, and hopefully that will continue at Randwick."

Lees will start Beyonce's Star in the final race, an 1100-metre handicap, and Brunei Tale in race three (1100m).

Brunei Tale is having his first run for Lees after switching from the David Hayes stable.

"He has trialled well and can go well first-up for me," Lees said of the three-year-old colt.

Beyonce's Star finished fourth in her latest trial at Newcastle, but it was a great hit-out.

She finished less than two lengths behind city winner The Take, Miss Shalaquing, which won at Newcastle on Boxing Day, and Captain Chaos, which resumed with a third at Randwick.

"Her trial form looks outstanding," Lees said.

"This is a nice race for her, and although she will definitely improve, Beyonce's Star does have ability and will win races.

"She proved that with the way she won on debut at a night meeting at Canterbury [on February 1].

"Since then she has raced some good fields, and although she is at her best when allowed to settle and get home, she looks ready to go well first-up."

? Two adjourned inquiries into the riding performance of Allan Robinson at Cessnock on December 19, which were to be held at Gosford races yesterday, were deferred after the jockey cited family reasons for not being able to attend.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home