Team Lees primed to end season on a high at Newcastle
By John Schell
Kris Lees will be hoping for a solid end to the racing season at his home track on Tuesday when he has four contenders set to contest four events.
Lees will start the day when Bellascent contests the second event of the day, the Hungerford Hill Wines Provincial Maiden Handicap (1600m), with Christian Reith taking the ride.
Kris Lees has four good chances at Newcastle.Credit: Getty
Bellascent has had seven starts, with her best finishing effort being a second at Tuncurry in April.
“She’s only been placed once, but she has run pretty well in most of her races,” Lees said.
“She’s been racing well in provincial grade and this looks a nice race for her to break her maiden if she can put her best foot forward.”
Shuri will represent Lees in the Sharp Office F&M Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m) with Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
“She won her first two starts and Taree and Newcastle in good enough fashion,” Lees said.
“She resumed at Newcastle back in May and wasn’t beaten far when she started favourite, and she’s
had a trial since finishing sixth at Canterbury.
“I expect her to run a better race on Tuesday.”
Lees will also send around the Australian Bloodstock colours when Enterprise Private has a wide
barrier in the Lees Racing Maiden Plate (1400m) with Andrew Gibbons aboard.
“He’s only had the one run for me and that resulted in a fifth of six at Newcastle on the back of a
couple of trials,” Lees said.
“He was placed at his first couple of starts when John Shelton had him so he’s shown his share of talent. He should run well.”
Surreal I Am will be the final Lees runner at Newcastle with Hyeronimus taking the mount in the Strathayr C,G&E Benchmark 64 Handicap (1400m).
“He’s only had the five starts but he’s a Doomben winner and has been placed on the Beaumont
track at Newcastle and at the Gold Coast,” Lees said.
“He was down the track at Canterbury before being spelled and again on a heavy 10 at Newcastle when he resumed, but he’s shown enough ability to turn that around on a better surface.”