By Tony Megahey
After an emotional and productive home day in Newcastle's standalone Saturday meeting with top contenders Gobi Desert, Kris Lees has further hopes as he heads to bigger games from Scone on Tuesday.
The prerequisite is that the route is damp, with showers occurring in the region and the surface being rated as “tough” 8.
On Saturday, Kris fulfilled his career dream and won his first Max Lees Classic in memory of his slow father with the exhilarating $600,000 purchase of the Inglis Classic by Too Darn Warm (UK) from Warm As Hell.
Pier Pressure (Kerrin McEvoy) breaks her maiden status in Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers
“It was special to finally win Dad’s race after a few placings – she’ll have a serene week, see how she gets through and assess whether we take her to the Inglis,” Lees said.
The prolific regional premiership trainer rates Pier Pressure ($1.55 favorite on TAB) as an absolute standout at Scone on Tuesday.
The four-year-old mare took third place in the Group I-Sires' Produce to Militarize 2023 Heavyweight Headquarters. Then final preparation was competing in Group 2 filly competitions in Brisbane and a listed race in Sydney.
She takes second place after completing trials in the Newgate Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m) at 57kg for Christian Reith.
“Obviously way back in the class, ideally placed under set weights and making good progress at four years elderly. It is also in the distance and has a rain-affected surface,” Lees explained.
Pier Pressure (according to the press release) was also placed on the Hefty at Scone after competing in the Roses and Gunsyd Group 2 events in Brisbane in May.
She started back-to-back trials before finishing a sturdy sixth behind Eletrica over an unsuitable 1300m at Rosehill Gardens two weeks ago.
Stablemate Simply Amazing ($9.50) contests the final event of the day, the Vinery Maiden Plate over 1400m.
“Simply Amazing is suitable for 1400m and is fitter in second.”
Check out the final field with full form and race replays for Scone here
