As someone who has spent his life in Newcastle racing, Kris Lees can see the importance of having an Everest runner back up in his city's rising marquee event - the $1 million The Hunter.
But after training the runner-up in the first two editions of the 1300m race, Lees would also be pleased if the John O'Shea-trained Lost And Running wasn't in Saturday's race.
Lees, second with Tactical Advantage (2019) and Special Reward (2020), has six nominated for The Hunter this year. Gem Song, Special Reward and Countofmontecristo will make the 15-horse field, while Wandabaa will likely sneak in.
Lost And Running gained topweight of 59 kilograms on Tuesday ahead of acceptances and barrier draw on Wednesday for what shapes as the strongest Hunter field yet.
In founding the event, Racing NSW had hoped to give trainers of horses in October's $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick another target close to home, instead of Melbourne. Lost And Running, though, will be the first to follow through, signalling a breakthrough moment for The Hunter.
Lees acknowledged the coup but quipped: "I'd prefer it wasn't racing against mine."
"It's only it's third running," he said of the wait to attract an Everest horse. "And when you set a horse for a race like the Everest, and this is a good month later, they are hard to keep up for that long. Plus some also go to Melbourne, and if you ran in Melbourne last week, you aren't going to run here."
Lost And Running, fourth in The Everest and second two weeks later in the Classique Legend Stakes, was a $2.50 TAB favourite. Annabel Neasham-trained import Top Ranked was $6, while Standout (Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou) was at $8. Bandersnatch ($11), Dawn Passage ($13), Kementari, Prime Candidate, Signore Fox ($15) and defending champion Sweet Deal ($17) are other class nominations.
Lees said Lost And Running was the horse to beat but it wasn't a case of everyone else running for second place.
"I don't think it's that cut and dried pre-barrier draw," he said. "It's a big field, high-pressure race. It's still open but it's the obviously the one to beat. Coming fourth in an Everest, that's strong form for this."
Gem Song ($15) looked Lees' best chance. He will be first-up in after winning the Newcastle Newmarket in March then finishing two lengths away in the group 1 George Ryder Stakes in his comeback from a tendon injury. Lees and friends bought Gem Song at a Gooree Park dispersal sale with the hope of getting him back to the races.
"He's been a good horse to the stable," Lees said. "He races well fresh, but we're under no illusions it's going to be a pretty hot field. He'll need to run right up to his best, but I'm pleased with how he's coming up."
Wet-track specialist was his next best in the market at $26.
"Rain would probably be a nice sweetener for her," he said.
"All of them actually. I think they will all handle it, but that said, this track will race terrific unless there's rain on the day.
"Never Talk will run on the day, in the [benchmark] 88 or The Hunter. She's going really well, her two Melbourne runs were pleasing. I think 1300 is an ideal distance for her.
"Countofmontecristo is another one who runs well fresh and he could certainly run a race."
His other nomination, Acquitted, will contest the benchmark 88 handicap.
Also on the program is the Max Lees Classic, a 2YO 900m race started in 2017 to honour Lees' father.
Lees is yet to win the event and he said his only nomination this year, The Timekeeper, won't run.
He has Loch Eagle in nominations for the group 3 3YO Spring Stakes.
"He might run, we haven't decided yet," Lees said.
"He's obviously eligible for a weaker grade but if he runs, he'll run a good race wherever it is.
"He's a good horse in waiting. You'll see the best of him in the autumn at the mile."
