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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Kris Lees says the time is right and the platform’s been perfectly laid for talented galloper Loch Eagle to tick the 2000m box at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Bradley Photos).

In 40 starts the six-year-old has only been further than 1800m once and that was at the end of his previous campaign where Lees stretched him to the 2200m of the Magic Millions Trophy.

Lees said that attempt returned an inconclusive result so he’s set Loch Eagle to tackle the Listed $200,000 Toyota Forklifts WJ McKell Cup (2000m) third-up and on the up fitness wise.

“His days of showing up in 1200m and 1400m races are beyond him and I thought with this race third run in off two mile runs is a better base,’’ he said.

“He was strong when he won at 1800m in Queensland and I’ve only given him one try (at a staying distance) and he’d probably had enough.”

Loch Eagle, $10 with TAB on Wednesday, resumed in the Scone Cup at 1600m then posted his eighth career win when he scored over a mile at Randwick three weeks ago.

That win over 1800m last campaign was third-up and Lees liked the gelding’s style as he charged past Grebeni to post his most recent win. Apprentice Ben Osmond, chasing his first stakes win, retains the ride but won't be able to claim.

A top two finish in the McKell Cup would push his prizemoney over the $2 million mark.

“The way he let down the other day there’s every chance he could run it out, though I do think he’s a better Randwick horse than a Rosehill horse and he could get a drying track,’’ he said.

“There’s a couple of little negatives but I’m happy to give him his chance. Third run in he gets every chance off two solid mile runs.

“If he doesn’t run it we can always freshen him and drop back in trip.”

Options if Lees decides to come back in trip will likely include the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m) or the South Grafton Cup (1600m) – “maybe if it was wet” – to give Loch Eagle another chance to tackle the Big Dance later this year.

He ran third in the $3 million race in 2023 while last year he finished midfield under 62kg in the Little Dance.

Import Adelaide River, at $6.50, was more fancied early than his stablemate in the McKell Cup though Lees feels he could be vulnerable first-up since October where he ran fourth in the Group 1 Might & Power Stakes.

The five-year-old has been gelded and Lees said it’ll be a one start winter cameo to blow out the cobwebs for a spring campaign.

“If there was a mile race he’d probably be in it so he could be a little vulnerable late at this trip,’’ he said.

“He seems to be coming up well. He has a bit of a winter coat which doesn’t concern me, that tells me he’s settling in to Australia better.

“He’s got a bit of quality about him. It’s his first preparation as a gelding and that’s probably the most significant. I think it will make him race more genuine throughout the preparation.”

Both Lees gallopers face weight challenges as Destiny’s Kiss in 2018 is the last horse to carry 59.5kg to win the McKell Cup, which is Adelaide River’s impost, and Ecuador had the same weight in 2016 while in 2017 Allergic carried 59kg, Loch Eagle’s weight, to win.

Since 2009 no other winners of the race have had more than 55kg.

Tasoraay will be out to go one better in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) after he was cut down in the final strides two weeks ago by Don’t Forget Jack.

With Ben Osmond’s claim, he’ll meet that horse 3.5kg better and with Dylan Gibbons suspended Lees was more than happy to take the extra 2kg bonus.

Loch Eagle wins at Randwick on June 7

“Ben’s won on him previously and he’s in good form, so that’s always a good option,’’ he said.

“He has a nice gate, he’s not just a leader but he’s got a good racing style and is able to put himself on speed which is a good advantage.

“He was gone then he kicked again the other day so he was pretty brave.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Rosehill meeting