Kris Lees Celebrates Canterbury Double
- Saturday, 25 July 2015 08:27
Kris Lees is about to sign off on his best season in 12 years of training in which Canterbury winners Brook Road and Burnt Bridges have played their part.
Both have won three races during 2014/15 with Brook Road making up for a last-start defeat with a comprehensive 2-1/4 length win in Saturday's July Sprint (1100m).
Burnt Bridges came out of a midweek win at the track to beat a classy field of three-year-olds in the Bledisloe Cup Festival Hcp (1250m).
Trainer Kris Lees at Canterbury
Although pleased with his efforts in Sydney and interstate, the Newcastle-based Lees is even happier with his results at his home track.
He will celebrate his sixth local premiership this year and for the first time will win the Max Lees medal which is awarded to the trainer with the best strike rate at Newcastle.
After spending many years as foreman for his father Max, Lees took over in August 2003 when the multiple Group One winning trainer died after being diagnosed with cancer earlier that year.
"It has been a good season," Lees said.
"And I didn't think I could win the Max Lees medal so that is a bonus."
Brook Road has already won a stakes race in Brisbane in November and Lees is eyeing next month's Toy Show Quality (1300m) in Sydney after her win over Burbero and Kencella.
"She failed at Rosehill last start on the heavy track but Canterbury is a better surface," Lees said.
"I'm not sure she gets 1400 metres but we will step her up to the 1300 of the Toy Show.
"She needs a solid tempo and Brenton (Avdulla) rode her well."
Avdulla had no hesitation taking the mare along the rail as other riders were scouting wide.
"Everyone else was getting off the fence but I was comfortable on the inside and she finished off well," Avdulla said.
Burnt Bridges could also be aimed at stakes races in the new season after showing his finishing strength.
The $6.50 chance came late to beat Grunderzeit ($7.50) by 1-1/4 lengths with Roaring To Win ($7) third, a long neck away.
"He's a progressive horse and I would expect him to race in better class races as a four-year-old," Lees said.
