Kris Lees has celebrated a sentimental win in the race named after his legendary late father, claiming his first Max Lees Classic at Newcastle with Yulong-owned filly Gobi Desert.
Max Lees was a successful jockey and trainer, preparing Luskin Star to win the 1977 Golden Slipper and capturing the Group 1 Coolmore Classic five times.
Following his death in 2003, Kris took over his Newcastle stables and has gone on to forge a highly successful career of his own.
While he has won many bigger races than Saturday’s 900m scamper, the victory holds obvious significance for the Lees family.
“Very pleasing after we’ve had a few attempts at it,” Kris Lees said.
“Really nice filly. I’m very grateful to Yulong and all the team to give us a lovely filly to train.
“She is a well-bred filly, so to win a city race on debut is a nice start to her career.”
By promising young stallion Too Darn Hot, Gobi Desert is a half-sister to Lees’ former dual Group 1-winning sprinter In Her Time and was a $600,000 Inglis Classic buy.
While he took over In Her Time’s training later in her career, Lees says the family tends to be slow to mature and Gobi Desert’s debut success is a positive sign.
“The family, as a rule, take a little bit of time I would suggest, so for her to win a two-year-old race before Christmas speaks volumes for her career going forward,” he said.
Tim Clark made the running on Gobi Desert ($11) and the youngster stuck to her task gamely to defeat Good Hotspur ($4.20) by a half-length with Buffalo ($6.50) a close third.
Clark felt getting to the fence proved an advantage, as did the fact Gobi Desert was on her home track.
“The way she raced up the straight, if she had of been outside one, it might have been a bit harder for her. She was wanting to get away from them and lug a little bit,” Clark said.
“She has still got a bit of greenness there to improve on, but all-round she has got a great attitude, she’s got good speed, well-schooled and it’s a great thrill to win that race for Kris named after his old man.”
