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By Ray Hickson

One’s a warrior but potentially risky at the trip and the other is a sleeper relying on being able to swoop – safe to say trainer Kris Lees will want a few favours if either Brudenell or Infancy is to give him a first win in Saturday’s Group 2 $1m Newcastle Herald Hunter (1300m).

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Newcastle’s leading trainer is the go-to man when it comes to all things Hunter and he’d like to think he can win the city’s biggest race at some stage. Though both his 2025 runners are considered outsiders.

It took Lees almost two decades to win a Newcastle Cup when Mugatoo did it in 2020 but he's been placed in three of the six editions of The Hunter with Tactical Advantage, Special Reward and Wandabaa all running second.

Brudenell, $31 with TAB on Wednesday, has been edging towards the $1 million in prizemoney for some time and Lees said the inside barrier is a crucial boost to his chances of being strong at the end of 1300m.

“It gives him the chance to run out the trip,’’ he said.

“He gets himself straight on the speed without doing a great deal of work so it’s got to be to his advantage somewhat. It comes down to the pressure of the race.”

It’s not like the six-year-old has failed at the trip, he’s only been there once for a third in the Listed Luskin Star at Scone earlier this year while he’s been a winner over 1250m at Canterbury.

He was beaten less than a length by a Estadio Mestalla at Randwick on the Big Dance program and Lees said the drop to 56kg will be a plus.

“I thought he was real good, big weight, he just anchored a touch late to put himself in contention,’’ he said.

“He’s more than capable and he could definitely be competitive.”

Lees didn’t flinch when the barrier was mentioned as a potential issue for stablemate Infancy, $61 with TAB on Wednesday, as he suggested the way the race is run and the track pattern are more telling factors.

The mare’s last win was at Group 2 level in the Sapphire back in April and Lees said she had excuses for her midfield finish when back to 1100m at Flemington two weeks ago.

“She didn’t get a huge amount of room at Flemington, so it’s probably a better run than it reads on paper which can happen in straight track racing,’’ he said.

“She’s just relying on tempo, the alley isn’t as bad as it looks to me.

"In most of her wins she’s had clear air so on the spacious track at Newcastle it’s not the worst.”

It seems Age Of Sail will have a much easier passage in the Listed $300,000 NZB The Beauford (2300m) than he did last start and Lees said that gives him a chance to bounce back.

The import finished near the tail in the Bendigo Cup and after 17 starts for Lees he’ll be having his first start on his adopted home track.

“It was a total forgive at Bendigo, he was posted three deep throughout in the race,’’ he said.

“Before that he was good in the Port Macquarie Cup and he was strong that day, he gets in with no weight and gets a softer run this time.”

Brudenell runs third in the Luskin Star at Scone

Kris Lees on Pomelo Chamomile (race 1): “She trialled quite well, she’s a nice filly. A real racey type and I’m happy with how she’s going into the race.”

On Farhah (race 1): “She had a tickover trial on Monday and looks to have come through it well so we’ll give her the chance.”

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