Kris Lees came away with three wins at Taree and Tamworth on Friday, with his gallopers breaking their maiden status in fine style.
Kicking off his day, Lees landed an early running double at Taree, triumphing in the opening two events.
Stern Dispute (Ashley Morgan, $1.50) was the short-priced favourite in the 1312m Maiden Plate for the colts and geldings and travelled at the rear of the field.
Taken on a four-wide run by Morgan, favourite punters breathed a sigh of relief as the 3YO Astern gelding drove to a half-length victory.
It was the polar opposite style of victory in the following event as Oakfield Universe (Grant Buckley, $1.55) won the 1312m Maiden Plate for the fillies and mares.
Buckley worked to the front on the 4YO Written Tycoon mare from gate eight, and despite doing some hard yards early, she was too good, winning by a half-length.
Arguably, the most impressive victory of the Lees’ trio was that of Kirkall ($7) in the 1400m Maiden Handicap at Tamworth.
Andrew Gibbons was in the saddle as the 3YO Ole Kirk gelding had his fifth career start.
Taking on the race favourite Always A Rainbow (Ben Looker, $2) from the Stirling Osland yard, the pair gapped the remainder of the field by nine lengths.
At the finish, Kirkall was too strong, triumphing by the best part of a length.
A consistent type, the Newcastle galloper has only missed a place once in five starts and looks to be an improving type.
Lees and his massive operation aren’t strangers to success; in their past 50 starts, they have landed 11 wins.
Recent weeks have seen many winners, including Night Agent (Aaron Bullock, $2.20) in a 1106m Maiden Plate at Port Macquarie on February 8 and Lune D’excellence (Andrew Gibbons, $5.50) in a 1280m Class One Handicap at Muswellbrook on February 9.
Making it three wins in three days, Surpasser (Dylan Gibbons, $2.80) was too good, winning the 1600m Provincial Maiden Plate at Wyong on February 10.
Lees and his team will be chasing success at Newcastle today.
William Stanley rides She’s Extra (gate one) in the 2YO Maiden Handicap (900m), and Aaron Bullock is aboard Almonzo (gate one) in the Super Maiden Handicap (1600m).
