Lightly raced pair from Lees to shine on Anzac Day card
Confirmation has come that Lord Of Biscay will contest the Tamworth Cup, leaving Kris Lees to spotlight two skilful three-year-olds leading his Anzac Day squad at Randwick.
Having taken out the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, Lord Of Biscay is among the early fancies for the First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m) this Saturday, but according to Lees, the gelding heads north-west beforehand.
"It looks a nice race for him," Lees said of the Tamworth Cup, which carries Big Dance eligibility.
After a fruitful autumn season, notably with Changingoftheguard's shock victory in the Sydney Cup, Lees is keen for Night Agent and Cantiamo to stake their claims as emerging stars.
Newcastle-based Lees brings Night Agent back to 1400m for the Last Post Handicap on Saturday, looking forward to seeing his capabilities.
The gelding arrives for his Sydney Saturday bow after successive wins, including a flashy 10-length demolition at a rural fixture on Beaumont and his latest at Hawkesbury over 1500m in midweek metro grade.
"It was a Cessnock meeting, with all due respect," Lees said of Night Agent's win two starts ago.
"Still, he did it convincingly and won well. Then he went to a Hawkesbury metro and won well. He was just a little aggressive early and it took its toll late, although he still won.
"But we decided to drop him back to 1400. It's probably a more appropriate distance at the moment."
Trainer Lees has always thought highly of Cantiamo, shown by her repeated stakes tests, culminating in a respectable sixth placing last time in the P J Bell Stakes (1200m).
She meets older rivals in The Third Australian General Hospital Handicap (1200m), but Lees is confident she can prevail as he plots her path back to black-type action via the Denise's Joy Stakes (1200m) at Scone on May 16.
"That would be the plan if she runs well. It's in three weeks so she can have a freshen and drop back in trip," Lees said.
"We tried her in stakes company a few times and she has been competitive without winning. It's a little drop back in grade and she is going really well."
In Night Agent's event, Lees saddles Valorous Power, who is still settling in and due to progress, while Zaphod and Kind Words offer real threats in the Anzac Day Cup (1800m).
Nevertheless, Lees views the two young horses as his top picks to strike.
"Cantiamo and Night Agent are two really nice horses and they'll both run well," he said.
Visit online bookmakers to find the top betting markets for the race at Randwick this Anzac Day.
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