As Lord Of Biscay gains entry into the Tamworth Cup, Kris Lees turns attention to two capable three-year-olds to anchor his Anzac Day efforts at Randwick.
The gelding, who secured the Provincial-Midway Championships Final, tops early ante-post markets for the First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m) on Saturday, but Lees confirms an earlier departure for the north-west Tamworth fixture.
"It looks a nice race for him," Lees said of the Tamworth Cup, which carries Big Dance eligibility.
Building on a memorable autumn, driven by Changingoftheguard’s boilover in the Sydney Cup, Lees hopes Night Agent and Cantiamo can signal bright prospects ahead.
Lees shortens Night Agent to 1400m for his tilt at the Last Post Handicap this Saturday, curious about his standing.
With back-to-back wins under his belt—a commanding 10-length effort at Beaumont’s country card and a Hawkesbury midweek metro success at 1500m—the gelding steps up to Sydney Saturday 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."
Lees’ regard for Cantiamo is clear from her stakes exposures, like the recent near-miss sixth in the P J Bell Stakes (1200m).
Facing veteran mares in The Third Australian General Hospital Handicap (1200m), she looms as a danger, with Lees eyeing the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1200m) at Scone on May 16 next.
"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."
He runs Valorous Power alongside Night Agent, acknowledging the import’s ongoing acclimatisation, while Zaphod and Kind Words could feature strongly in the Anzac Day Cup (1800m).
Ultimately, the trainer sees the young duo as his prime victors.
"Cantiamo and Night Agent are two really nice horses and they’ll both run well," he said.
Head to trusted betting sites for competitive odds on Night Agent in the Last Post Handicap.
