With James McDonald in the saddle, Night Agent was afforded the ideal run and went on to win easily in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap over 1400 metres at Royal Randwick.
Trainer Kris Lees had previously considered Night Agent as a potential contender for next autumn’s Provincial Championships. However, the colt’s commanding performance at Randwick has prompted the trainer to re-evaluate his plans.
“We were thinking the Provincial Championships but hopefully he is too good for that,” Lees stated. “It was a really good win and a magnificent ride by James Mcdonald. “I was guarded about whether to run the horse early in the week but he came into barrier 10 after scratchings. “James came out and said he would be one-one (one out and one back), I was happy with that and that’s where he was.”
Lees indicated, “It was a dominant win and we might look at getting him ready for the Silver Eagle on Everest Day (October 17).”
Night Agent, who started at $4.40, sprinted away in the final stages to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The luckless Unleeshing ($4), who finished with a late surge, secured second place right on the line, edging out the early leader Castlejohn ($4.40).
Jockey James McDonald described Night Agent as a horse still developing. “He’s still doing a few things wrong but he’s a very nice horse and will only continue to improve,” McDonald remarked.
The four-year-old has surprised Lees with his current spring campaign, now boasting four wins from eight career starts. “We have always had a good opinion of him, he’s a nice horse,” Lees commented. “We may look at the Silver Eagle now. Whether that is aiming a bit high, I don’t know but the race is a month away and he likes to have his runs spaced.”
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