Golden start in focus for Lees in chase of special group 1 win

Kris Lees believes Under Focus has all the qualities to bring the Newcastle trainer equal with his late father, Max, on 20 group 1 victories on Saturday in the Golden Rose (1400m) - if he starts better.

Under Focus, a Yulong-owned $300,000 Too Darn Hot colt, failed to take advantage of a handy draw in gate five when he was slow to begin in the group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) two weeks ago, settling on the rail under Dylan Gibbons in the second half of the field.

However, on a day dominated by leaders and on-pace runners, Under Focus made up ground late to finish third, one and a half lengths off winner Warwoven. The run followed an eye-catching finish from last in the 1100m Rosebud first-up to finish sixth after a start from a wide alley.

Under Focus has drawn well again for the Golden Rose, in four, and Lees hoped the poor start in the Run To The Rose was a one-off. He was confident the extra distance would suit and the $11 TAB chance could find a spot closer to the speed.

“He led in a 1000m race at his first start, and he’s only missed the start once, so provided he steps clean, he should land forward of midfield, probably in that second or third line,” Lees said.

“He just stepped marginally slow last time, which had him further back than anticipated, but he still worked home well. He got a nice run, come off their backs and lengthened nicely late.

“He hasn’t been to 1400m yet, but off his 1200m run the other day, he gives every indication it’s going to be the right trip for him third run in. He worked well on Tuesday morning and he gives every indication he’ll run it out well.”

Lees, whose best result in the Golden Rose is third with Graff in 2018, believed Under Focus was up to group 1 level and he hoped to get a guide on his next target.

“A race like this can be stallion-making for young colts and that’s what Yulong are about of course, so it’s very exciting,” he said.

“I think this one tells you whether you’re a Caulfield Guineas [1600m] horse or you come back for a Coolmore [1200m], again, if he proves he’s up to this level, but I think he’s shown he is.”

Lees had Cantiamo set to resume in the last at Rosehill, but she was likely to be scratched after drawing wide.

Meanwhile, he was unsure of the next step with the horse which took him to 19 group 1 victories, Sydney Cup winner Changingoftheguard, after he finished eight and a half lengths off Aethelwulf in the Newcastle Cup last week. Lees said he could be kept back for the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 10.

“He had some stuff in his airways, so we’ll get that cleaned up and whether he runs in the Metropolitan next week or waits for the week after in Melbourne, we’ll see how he comes through it,” he said.

Night Agent was an impressive winner for Lees at Randwick last week and the trainer confirmed the four-year-old would head next to the Silver Eagle.

Bullock keen to go distance with Cormier

Leading country jockey Aaron Bullock hopes to repay the loyalty of the Arrowfield team with a top ride on Cormier, which he believes is over the odds for the Golden Rose.

Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained Cormier, second to Tron Bolt with Bullock aboard in the group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) in June, finished 10th when on-pace runners dominated the Run To The Rose (1200m) first up with Chad Schofield in the saddle.

Bullock could not get down to 55kg to ride Cormier last start but is back at 56.5kg for the group 1 over 1400m, where the combination were $51 (TAB). It will be just a third group 1 ride for Bullock, whose biggest success came with Know Thyself for the Arrowfield team in the 2025 Country Championship final.

“Both his trials suggested the 1200 was going to be too short for him, then with the track playing like it did, he still finished off the race good and Chad was happy with him,” Bullock said.

“There will be a lot to come out of the last couple of meetings where horses looked to have had bad runs, but they actually haven’t, and his trials suggest he’ll be better when he gets to 1400 or the mile.

“He’s drawn good. It’s a tough race, but you’ve got to be in it to win it. He’ll put himself up there on Saturday, and he’s only got to let down like I know he can, and he’ll be thereabouts.”

Bullock hopes to stick with Cormier through the spring, where the group 1 Caulfield Guineas and Spring Champion Stakes could be targets.

He was also excited to pick up rides on the promising Banjora (race 10) and debutant Freshman (Heritage Stakes) for Bryce Heys and Condone in the Highway Handicap.