Kris Lees On Verge Of Hitting Another “Ton”

Kris Lees has a sizeable team heading to Canterbury Park on Saturday as he nears a century of season winners for a fifth time.

Little Shocker at Cessnock on Tuesday was Lees’ 99th winner in 2015-16 and he has chances at both Taree tomorrow and on Saturday in Sydney and at home on the Beaumont track to rack up another “ton”.

He prepared 119 winners last season (his best) on top of 109 (2012-13), 105 (2009-10) and 106 (2008-09).

And with the current season concluding on Sunday week, he has already set a new prizemoney benchmark; his horses having so far earned $7.37m, boosted by the Group 1 victories of Lucia Valentina (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Le Romain (Randwick Guineas) earlier this year.

Lees has nine acceptors at Canterbury, but that number may be reduced to seven with doubts on Grexit (2YO Handicap, 1200m) and Invitations (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1100m).

“Both horses have drawn awkwardly, and are unlikely to run,” he said.

Nonetheless, his remaining starters create plenty of interest with former German stayer Singing making his Australian debut, smart mare Felines trying to regain winning form and the highly consistent Powerline seeking an overdue city breakthrough.

Lees has put glue on shoes on Singing’s front feet in the Benchmark 93 Handicap (1900m).

“He has had feet issues and I’ve had them on him since he came to me,” Lees said. “He’s been in work for a long time.”

Apprentice Koby Jennings will ride the six-year-old, his 2kg claim lessening the topweight’s original 62kg.

Singing hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in a 2400m Group 1 race in Germany in August last year.

“Whatever the horse does on Saturday, he will certainly improve on,” Lees said.

“The tight Canterbury circuit may not suit him, but he’s showing me a bit on the track.

“It will be interesting to see how he goes, but I won’t be surprised if he runs well.”

Whilst Singing was regarded as a potential spring Cups contender two years ago, Lees said he wanted to get the horse back into top form before entertaining any such thoughts this year.

“Depending on his form, perhaps a race like the Newcastle Cup in September could be a possibility.”

Lees has put a tongue tie on Felines in the July Sprint (1100m), in which Brenton Avdulla will ride her.

“It’s questionable whether she is going as well this campaign, and I’ve decided to change things around a bit,” he explained.

“Felines has shown a tendency at times to get her tongue over the bit in trackwork.

“But she is certainly very capable on her day and up to winning this if she produces her best form.”

Powerline (apprentice Jennings) runs in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1250m), along with stablemate Electric Power (Sam Clipperton).

Powerline was just nabbed by another stablemate Danish Twist in the $400,000 Provincial Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick in April, and has since been placed at three city appearances.

“He has been up a long time, but continues to race well,” Lees said. “No question he deserves a breakthrough.”

“Electric Power has freshened up nicely and the wet track is in her favour.”

Lees’ thoughts on his other Canterbury representatives are:

SLOW PACE (Benchmark 83 Handicap, 1550m): “Resuming and likely to need the run, but has shown in the past he can pull out a good run fresh”.

RAIDO (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1100m): “Never got into the race last time at Randwick from a wide barrier. Raced well at Canterbury before and not to be dismissed.”

AWASITA (Benchmark 84 Handicap, 1100m): “Appeared to have every chance last start, but I feel she has a sneaky hope here. Just beaten in this same race last year at big odds.”

– Lees Racing

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