Latest News

By Tony Megahey

Following an emotional and productive home day at Newcastle's stand-alone Saturday meeting with hot prospect Gobi Desert, Kris Lees has further promise heading for bigger occasions from Scone on Tuesday.

A prerequisite is wet track form with the region taking showers and the surface rated a Heavy 8.

On Saturday Kris achieved a career ambition winning his first Max Lees Classic in memory of his late father with the exciting $600,000 Inglis Classic purchase by Too Darn Hot (GB) from Hot As Hell.

Pier Pressure (Kerrin McEvoy) breaks her maiden status at Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers

“It was special to finally win Dad’s race after some placings - she’ll have a quiet week, see how she comes through and assess if we go to the Inglis with her,” Lees said.

The prolific regional premiership trainer rates Pier Pressure ($1.55 favourite on TAB) an absolute stand-out at Scone on Tuesday.

The four-year-old mare finished third in the 2023 Group I-Sires' Produce to Militarize on heavy at headquarters. Then last prep contested Group 2 fillies’ events in Brisbane and a Listed race in Sydney.

She is racing second-up after forwarding trials into the Newgate Class 1 and Maiden Plate (1600m) with 57kg for Christian Reith.

“Obviously way back in grade, ideally placed under set weights and progressing nicely at four. She's also out in distance with a rain-affected surface,” Lees offered.

Pier Pressure (by Press Statement) after contesting The Roses and Gunsyd Group 2 events in Brisbane in May was also placed at Scone on the heavy.

She spelled and resumed with successive trials before a strong closing sixth at Rosehill Gardens over an unsuitable 1300m two weeks ago behind Eletrica.

Stablemate Simply Amazing ($9.50) contests the last event of the day, the Vinery Maiden Plate over 1400m.

“Simply Amazing is suited out to 1400m and is fitter second-up.”

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Scone here