Sydney Cup falls to surprise leader Changingoftheguard

One of Kris Lees' most cherished achievements in his illustrious training tenure culminated as Changingoftheguard dictated terms from the front to capture the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Raced by a group of notable owners such as Lloyd and Nick Williams, the $51 longshot benefited from impeccable judgment by Jason Collett in the lead, fending off pursuits to secure the staying epic.

The success marks 20 years since Lees' debut Sydney Cup with reliable old-timer County Tyrone.

"When County Tyrone won the Sydney Cup it was one of my biggest thrills in racing, '' Lees said. "But I would have to say this is just as big a thrill. ''

Prior to this, Lees notched his sixth success in the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final, dominating the top two spots with Lord Of Biscay overcoming stablemate Imposant.

Nick Williams labeled the elite Newcastle trainer as the "nicest guy in racing," and Lees confirmed the Sydney Cup conquest with Changingoftheguard as a pinnacle in his vocation.

"It is exciting just to train for them (Team Williams), '' Lees said.

"Nick is a really good mate and to train for LLoyd and to win a prestigious race like this is a huge thrill. ''

Hall of Famer Lloyd Williams, with a record seven Melbourne Cup victories, now claims five Sydney Cups, this latest via Changingoftheguard joining Gallante (2016), Mourayan (2013), Gallic (2007), and Major Drive (1987).

Changingoftheguard at $51 represented the heftiest surprise Sydney Cup victor since Murray King's 200/1 lead-all-the-way win 100 years prior, narrowly beating Soul Of Spain ($8) by half a neck with Highland Bling ($17) close third, a short neck away.

Strongly fancied River Of Stars shortened to $5 but tired to seventh after contesting the turn.

A progeny of iconic sire Galileo, Changingoftheguard began under Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, notching three wins in nine juveniles including the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and fifth in the 2022 English Derby behind Desert Crown.

The Williams duo bought Changingoftheguard and placed him with Lees.

Over nearly three years under Lees' care, Changingoftheguard has had 13 outings, building form progressively; last spring brought the City Tattersalls Club Cup win and ninth in the Melbourne Cup to Half Yours.

"He ran a bold race in the Melbourne Cup and we said after that we would save the blinkers for the Sydney Cup, '' Lees said. "They were always going on, we were just trying to wait for today. It was a good plan and I'm happy we got the result.

"It's a great thrill to win in those colours too. What a lovely, rated ride by Jason (Collet), I thought he was actually going too slow.

"He got him back to 14 (second sectionals), the horse goes quicker in trackwork most mornings, but they upped the ante when they came up around him and it was really pleasing. "

After critiquing Changingoftheguard's ninth in the preceding week's Chairman's Quality, Collett gained renewed faith from Lees' pre-race words.

"Kris said to me before the race that on the wet track last week the horse's 'wheels spun', '' Collett said.

"Then Kris said if the horse finds the bridle he'll want to do it and he did. It was very lonely down the back straight, but I loved it though.

"It's a good feeling when a horse gets in a good rhythm like that. We don't get too many opportunities here in Australia over these distances. "

When Changingoftheguard withstood Newlook in early stretch, Collett's spirits lifted.

"When he didn't throw in the towel I thought 'that's a change', '' Collett said. So that definitely gave me some confidence and although it's a long straight, it's pretty cool to win a Sydney Cup. ''

Tommy Berry's masterful steer on second-placed Soul Of Spain sparked thoughts of what-if on the draw. "Soul Of Spain did a massive effort from the barrier. If he draws a gate, he arguably wins but the winner has done a good job in front as well, '' Berry said.

Lightly raced Highland Bling, placed in this autumn's Adelaide Cup and Sydney Cup, has jockey Ben Thompson convinced of untapped potential. "It was a great run by Highland Bling, '' Thompson said.

"At start 16 it feels like he's got a stack of scope left. To run third in this grade

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