Lees eyes Kindergarten Stakes tilt for winning colt Under Focus
Trainer Kris Lees may consider the Kindergarten Stakes for Under Focus, the lightly raced colt who notched a victory on Randwick's Kensington circuit, surpassing his initial second-placing debut.
A $300,000 Easter yearling acquisition for Yulong, this youngster boasts breeding by Too Darn Hot from an unraced full sister of Group placegetter Condor, prompting Lees to explore higher-grade tests given the solid lineage.
The Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) over 1100m at Randwick scheduled for April 4 represents a viable option, subject to the colt's response after Wednesday's success in the 2026 Keeneland Breeders' Cup Handicap (1100m).
"I'd say we'd have to look at it. It's a week-and-a-half away," Lees said.
"We'll see how he pulls up and speak to the Yulong team, but they've got a really nice horse going forward."
Starting without luck, Under Focus was caught wide throughout the early stages in three and four wide berths until Tyler Schiller shifted him to race outside the pacesetter.
Quickening in the final stages alongside the leader, the colt took command and resisted Drumfire by 1-1/2 lengths, while Peyton finished third, two lengths adrift.
"He had to do a little bit of work early, so I thought there was some merit to the win," Lees said.
"Pre-race it looked a nice race with a bit of trial form and some exposed racehorses. He's done it both ends so it was a good effort."
In the two-year-old fillies' contest, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Reachin' Out set the pace and accelerated away to score by four lengths ahead of She's Extra, from the Lees stable.
Regan Bayliss, the winning rider, was struck by the filly's debut showing.
"Whatever she was going to do today she was going to improve on in leaps and bounds, so that's why it was such an impressive win," Bayliss said.
"She really let go today and never let anything get near her."
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott did not attend to discuss next steps, but Reachin' Out holds an entry in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 11.
Explore online bookmakers for the best betting markets for the race like the Kindergarten Stakes.
More Racing News
Freedman's classy pair set sights on Sydney features
Mitch Freedman is yet to confirm Attrition's resumption at Rosehill this weekend, but a Sydney campaign later in the year is firmly on the agenda for the impressive galloper.The Ballarat trainer has once again earmarked the Hill Stakes, to be run on October 10, as the primary spring target for...
Another Wil readies for Victorian campaign start
Having transferred to Victoria, Another Wil is poised to commence his latest campaign in the PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield.The seven-year-old arrived at Ciaron Maher's Ballarat stable last Saturday morning from Sydney. His participation on Saturday hinges on a Tuesday workout.Accompanying Another Wil on the trip from Sydney were Light...
Country racing clubs at risk from proposed gambling legislation
The financial stability of Australia's country race clubs, the very essence of thoroughbred racing, is under threat if gambling reforms extend beyond the current legislative proposals.During a recent Senate inquiry in Canberra, Racing Victoria chief executive Aaron Morrison and acting Racing NSW chief executive Graeme Hinton passionately articulated the potential...
Oliveanotherday's spring preparation begins with Casterton jump-out
Tom Dabernig is preparing to increase the workload for the promising gelding Oliveanotherday, with a planned jump-out at Casterton.This outing at Casterton on Monday will be Oliveanotherday's first public appearance since his triumph in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) during Warrnambool's three-day carnival in May.Oliveanotherday boasts an impressive record of...
Revengeance's Next Start: The Rosebud Or A Trial?
Trainer Adrian Bott is weighing up options for the immediate future of his promising colt Revengeance, a winner of the Golden Gift. A decision on whether he contests The Rosebud or has another trial will be made after Tuesday's trackwork.The two-year-old is set to be entered for Saturday's Listed event...
Craig Williams claims sixth Scobie Breasley Medal honour
Esteemed jockey Craig Williams has secured his sixth Scobie Breasley Medal, a prestigious award for riding excellence in Victoria.This latest win for Williams comes exactly two decades after he first claimed the award in 2006. He went on to replicate this success in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The jockey's most...
Patience rewarded as $3 million filly Ernaux breaks through at Randwick
Two years ago, American businessman John Stewart was involved in a significant bidding war for a daughter of Winx, ultimately losing out. However, he was successful in acquiring another elite prospect from that year's Inglis Easter Sale. While he finished as the underbidder on the $10 million Winx filly to...
Ninja's Missile Stakes win propels him into Everest calculations
Ninja proved too strong for a small but select group of competitors in Sydney's opening stakes race of the season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes over 1200 metres.The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter set a race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been competitive in most...
In-form mare Flyer set for stud after Caulfield success
Trainer Jason Warren is hopeful of identifying another suitable Stakes race for the mare Flyer before she transitions to a life of stud duties.Flyer achieved a significant, long-priced victory in the MSC Signs Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield Heath last Saturday. Warren shared that the mare is already booked to be...
Shannen Llewllyn off to a flying start with Ciaron Maher-trained Eliyass
In a promising sign of things to come, eight-year-old gelding Eliyass has recaptured his winning ways with a determined all-the-way victory at Randwick. This performance serves as a timely precursor for apprentice jockey Shannen Llewllyn, who is set to transfer her indentures to trainer Ciaron Maher.Llewllyn, currently based in Newcastle,...