Kris Lees goes one-two in Winter Stakes

Former Kiwi galloper Ucalledit has shown his Civic Stakes win was no fluke, turning in another rousing performance to add the Listed Winter Stakes at Randwick to his resume.

The victory gave leading apprentice Dylan Gibbons his fourth win of the afternoon and vindicated trainer Kris Lees’ decision to run the horse on Saturday, rather than head to the Grafton carnival.

Lees, who is on holidays in Europe, kept his cards close to his chest on where Ucalledit it would line up after paying up for the South Grafton Cup (1600m) on Sunday and nominating for Wednesday’s Ramornie Handicap (1200m).

“He didn’t tell us until yesterday where he was going,” Lee’s trusted lieutenant Cameron Swan said.

“He was either going to go today or the Ramornie, I think he was out of play (for the South Grafton Cup) because he drew 13 tomorrow.”

Lees decision to bring Ucalledit ($8) back to the scene of his Civic Stakes triumph proved the right one, the horse unleashing a strong finish down the outside to soar to a 1-1/4 length victory over stablemate Acquitted ($11).

Art Cadeau ($21) ran his best race for some time another neck away third.

Ucalledit had been unlucky in his opening campaign runs before atoning last start and Swan said he was a horse who usually held form once he struck it.

“Once he found form last preparation he put a few good races together and we were hoping for the same,” Swan said.

“It was a better win today than the other day.

“He doesn’t dash when you go for him, but he just keeps working through his gears and he was strongest on the line.”

The stable was also rapt with the effort of Acquitted, who hit the line from back in the field.

“He doesn’t help himself, he wants to lay in a bit but he was brilliant,” Swan said.

The Winter Stakes has become a happy hunting ground for horses at the higher end of the weights with five of the past six winners carrying 57kg or more, including Ucalledit who carted 57.5kg.