Night Agent shines at Royal Randwick

Night Agent was given the run of the race by champion jockey James McDonald and scored easily in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m).

Lees had thought Night Agent could be his horse for the Provincial Championships next autumn but the dominance of his Randwick win has given the trainer second thoughts now.

“We were thinking the Provincial Championships but hopefully he is too good for that,” Lees said.

“It was a really good win and a magnificent ride by James Mcdonald.

“I was guarded about whether to run the horse early in the week but he came into barrier 10 after scratchings.

“James came out and said he would be one-one (one out and one back), I was happy with that and that’s where he was.

“It was a dominant win and we might look at getting him ready for the Silver Eagle on Everest Day (October 17).”

Night Agent ($4.40) sprinted clear in the straight and won by two-and-a-quarter lengths from the fast-finishing, luckless Unleeshing ($4) who got up for second right on the line, edging out early leader Castlejohn ($4.40).

McDonald described Night Agent as a “work in progress”.”He’s still doing a few things wrong but he’s a very nice horse and will only continue to improve,” McDonald.

Night Agent, who improved his race record to four wins from eight starts, has surprised Lees how well he has returned to racing this spring.

“We may look at the Silver Eagle now,” Lees said. “Whether that is aiming a bit high, I don’t know but the race is a month away and he likes to have his runs spaced.

“We have always had a good opinion of him, he’s a nice horse.”