NEWCASTLE, Friday, January 13, 2012 - BY his own admission, Kris Lees has had an unusually quiet start to the Newcastle season.

Even accounting for the loss of four Broadmeadow meetings due to the recent track closure for remedial work, only three winners have resulted from 10 meetings so far.

But his sights on a fifth consecutive Newcastle premiership haven’t dimmed – and he’s ready to “get back on the bike” tomorrow.

Lees has six starters – Etrangere (race 1), Round’n’rounditgos (race 3), Sweet Talkin’ Woman (race 4), Suhani (race 5), Dream With Me (race 6) and Girls Night Out (race 7).

Whilst he won’t be at Broadmeadow tomorrow – presently attending the Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast and also will have a representative (My Man Of War) there tomorrow at the feature race meeting – he will certainly be an interested TV spectator.

Lees today said there were plausible reasons why his stable had not swung into more winning action at home so far this season.

“Firstly, we simply haven’t had the necessary cattle,” he explained. “And secondly we have been concentrating on educating and bringing younger horses into the stable.

“Hopefully, things will start to turn around tomorrow.”

Lees named Round’n’rounditgos (Newcastle Variety Bash Maiden), Dream With Me (Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Benchmark 65 Handicap) and Girls Night Out (Warners Bay Private Hospital Maiden) as the pick of his representatives.

Here is his summation of their prospects:

ROUND’N’ROUNDITGOS: “Excellent run when third first-up at Gosford in late December. An extra 200m and the roomier track is going to suit him and he is perfectly drawn.”

DREAM WITH ME: “Better run than it may have appeared last start when fifth at Wyong (metropolitan meeting). Just needs to have a bit of luck from an awkward alley and she will be competitive.”

GIRLS NIGHT OUT: “Not far off a win. She has been placed at five of her seven starts, and four of those placings have been at Broadmeadow. Sure to run well again.”

Lees also gave Sweet Talkin’ Woman a chance from an inside alley in the Bay Hotel at Bonnells Bay Benchmark 60 Handicap (1200m), but added the mare was facing a rise in class on her recent Scone second in a Benchmark 55 Handicap.

The leading Newcastle trainer saddles consistent My Man Of War (Corey Brown) in the Magic Millions Country Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast tomorrow.

“Being a Country Cup, horses have come from all over Queensland and NSW to contest this race, so it’s hard to line up the form,” Lees said.

“But he is a very genuine horse who has travelled well and deserves his chance in a race such as this.”

NEWCASTLE, Thursday, December 29, 2011 - Kris Lees has had a frustrating first half the season with more second placings than winners, a stat he hopes to turn around in the 2012 part of the racing season.

He gets a chance to set the tone on Monday at Warwick Farm when he heads down the M3 with four runners, three of which he believes are capable of figuring in their respective races.

Leading the charge will be the consistent Next The Universe, who lines up in the Vinery Stud Handicap (1300m).

Lees believes she's “knocking on the door” having been “poorly ridden” in her past two starts which has brought about a jockey change for Monday's race.

“She's racing really well and a win's not far away but unfortunately there's been a couple of mistakes made in the saddle at her last couple of starts and that hasn't helped her cause,” Lees said.

“Sam Clipperton gets a chance on Saturday and his 3kg claim is a plus.

“I'd be disappointed if she doesn't figure.”

Enigmatic galloper Single Play is another with the ability to add another metropolitan win to her trainer's tally and she'll get her chance in the James Boags Handicap (1100m).

Lees said Single Play is a frustrating horse to train because how she's going isn't always a guide of “what to expect” on raceday.

“If she wants to race well she will but you just never know with her,” he said. “Her work has been good, she's well drawn it all comes down to which one of her turns up at Warwick Farm and the problem is you don't find out until after the race.”

Rounding out the stable's winning chances is the consistent Project Compassion in the Schweppes Maiden Plate (1300m).

The daughter of Dubai Destination has finished second in her two runs of the campaign and Lees is again expecting a competitive performance despite drawing barrier 11.

“She's likely to roll forward and at Warwick Farm wide draws don't hurt you as much as they do at most other tracks,” he said.

“She's genuine and I'd expect her form to stack up so if she can have her share of luck in the run I think she has a good chance.”

The remaining member of Lees's Warwick Farm team is staying type Jardaa in the Warwick Farm 100 Club Handicap (1600m).

Lees said Jardaa will need the run and it would be a surprise to see her win.

NEWCASTLE, December 15, 2011 - Trainer Kris Lees believes the addition of blinkers give his consistent mare Next The Universe her chance to break through for a deserved win in Saturday's James Boags Benchmark 80 F&M Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm.

Next The Universe has had the two starts back from a spell. Most recently she zoomed home late to finish fourth beaten 1-3/4 lengths on December 7 over Saturday's track and distance.

Lees said he'd also entered Next The Universe for another race at Canterbury next Wednesday after the mare drew barrier 11, the outside draw, at Warwick Farm.

“I've put the blinkers on and there doesn't appear to be too much speed so I'm pretty sure we'll go to Warwick Farm,” Lees said.

“With there appearing to be a lack of speed I'd like to send her forward.

“The blinkers should help sharpen her up and it's not a tough 1300 metres at Warwick Farm so being trapped three wide wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if that's what eventuates.

“Going into the race I'm very happy with her and I think she's got a good chance.”

Next The Universe will be ridden on Saturday by Hugh Bowman.

NEWCASTLE, December 1, 2011 - Trainer Kris Lees is predicting a dramatic form turnaround by his smart mare Parriwi in Saturday's Blackwoods Galmet Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.

Lees will have two runners in the race when Parriwi is joined by her stablemate and impressive first-up winner Cheap Thrills.

Lees said Parriwi “has been struggling with little niggly problems” but things have turned around since her latest failure when eighth, beaten 4-3/4 lengths by Platinum Choice at Warwick Farm on November 19.

“She's improved dramatically over the past fortnight,” Lees said. “I'd suggest people don't judge her on her first two runs back from a spell because I'm expecting a much improved performance on Saturday.

“On her work, she's definitely got a chance.”

Meanwhile, Lees cannot fault his other runner Cheap Thrills either.

The daughter of underachieving stallion Giant's Causeway made an excellent return from a spell when powering away from her rivals in the straight to record a 1-1/2 length win at Randwick on November 5.

Conscious of Cheap Thrills excellent fresh record, the Newcastle horseman has given her plenty of time to get over the first-up effort and he expects another strong performance with 28-days between runs.

“I can't fault her,” Lees said. “She's done extremely well since her first-up win and she definatley hasn't gone backwards.

“I'm expecting her to be in the mix again.”

Lees wouldn't buy into questioning regarding which of the two runners is his best chance suggesting “a dead-heat” would be the outcome of the race.

NEWCASTLE, November 24, 2011 - Trainer Kris Lees believes a return to Canterbury gives the last start winner Lil And Grace a chance of breaking through in Saturday company in the Canterbury BMW Benchmark 84 Handicap over 1550 metres.

On November 11 at the night meeting, Lil And Grace recorded an amazing win when storming home over the top of her rivals after being around four lengths from the leader with 100 metres to go.

"Stramini went up on the outside [of Icy Mist] and having its second start in the blinkers, its home by the looks of it, no, Lil And Grace is jumping out of the ground and got it. Well that's unbelievable,” was TVN race caller Mark Shean's description of the final 100 metres.

Lees said Lil And Grace "needs everything to go right” but returning to Canterbury gives him confidence.

"She's won two of her three starts at the track so she obviously likes the place,” Lees said. "She's a finicky thing and needs everything to go right in her races.

"She'll need a bit of luck from the draw [barrier 11] but the rain affected track is a plus and she's got no weight after Chad Schofield's claim.”

Schofield was aboard Lil And Grace when the six-year-old mare scored her remarkable Canterbury win and on Saturday she drops from 56.5kg to a featherweight of 50.5kg.

TAB Sportsbet has installed the daughter of E Dubai as the $7 third pick behind Oakfield Beauty at $5.50 and Tropicana Girl at $6.

NEWCASTLE, November 17, 2011 - When trainer Kris Lees treks down the F3 on Saturday to compete at Warwick Farm it won't only be Urgent Bells he has high hopes for.

Lees concedes Urgent Bells is his stable's best winning chance when her and stablemate Next The Universe clash but he wouldn't be surprised if Denaro Veloce, Hidden Wonder or Parriwi deliver success to the stable.

Lees said Parriwi is the best chance of the three. The daughter of Mossman lines up in the Hyland Kids Colours Xmas Benchmark 85 Handicap (1000m).

Parriwi resumed from a spell and produced a sixth placing, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, behind Dysphonia.

“She needed the run first-up and has come on nicely since the run,” Lees said.

“I've freshened her up and she's started to thrive in her work. From a good draw on Saturday I expect her to run well.”

Lees said Hidden Wonder is working as well as ever but he hopeful more than confident she can recapture her best form in Saturday's Warwick Farm 100 Club Handicap (1400m).

The Stakes performed seven-year-old mare has disappointed at her two runs from a spell but her trainer hasn't given up hope based on Hidden Wonder's work.

“Her work has been as good as ever she just hasn't been taking it to the races,” he said. “The reality is she's an older mare so I've just been trying to keep her happy.

“I'd be surprised if she was winning on Saturday but I'd like to think she'll produce a better performance.”

Rounding out the Lees racing team at Warwick Farm will be the lightly raced Choisir gelding Denaro Veloce in the Inglis Bonus Benchmark 74 Handicap (1600m).

Denaro Veloce has won or placed second in his three runs this preparation but Saturday is a new challenge for the three-year-old.

“It's a steep rise in class but the race carries a $100,000 bonus so it's worth having a crack,” Lees said.

“He's drawn a good gate, is racing well so we'll use Saturday to learn a bit more about him.”

Parriwi will be ridden on Saturday by Brenton Avdulla, who will also be aboard Hidden Wonder while Denaro Veloce will have apprentice Blake Spriggs in the saddle.

NEWCASTLE, November 17, 2011 - Trainer Kris Lees is brimming with confidence that his progressive mare Urgent Bells can take the step up to Saturday company in her stride on Saturday in the Sydney Childrens Hospital Benchmark 80 Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

Urgent Bells will be joined by stablemate Next The Universe as Lees launches a two-pronged attack on the $70,000 fillies and mares' event.

Urgent Bells is fast becoming a stable favourite in Newcastle's leading yard, having won four of her nine starts this time in. Lees said there are no signs being shown that the daughter of Pentire is coming to the end of her preparation.

"She's a tough bugger, one of those horses you love to have around the stable,” he said. "She's thriving on the racing, loves her work and eats like a machine.

After a Benchmark 65 win at Gosford back in August, Lees raised the bar on Urgent Bells and the four-year-old hasn't disappointed.

Her three subsequent city runs have returned a close-up fourth followed by a narrow second before she broke through to score an emphatic two length win at Canterbury on October 28.

"She is a very genuine little racehorse and deserves her chance in Saturday grade,” he said.

"She's done a marvellous job this preparation, handling everything I've thrown at her.

"She's a funny little thing because she's got a staying pedigree but can't run past six furlongs.

"The concern is the jump to Saturday grade but I think it's the right time to do it. I think she can handle the rise in class.”

Meanwhile, Lees said he is happy with Next The Universe heading into her summer starter.

The daughter of Mossman has been fitted up for her racetrack return with two trials. She finished fourth in a 900 metre Gosford hit-out on October 17 before scoring a soft trial win on her home track over 800 metres on October 25.

"She raced very consistently last time in and I think she's come back in similar order,” he said.

"Her two trials have been very good but unfortunately she's got a tricky gate [barrier 11] on Saturday but if she can have some luck I'm sure she will give some cheek.”

Lees has engaged apprentice Blake Spriggs to give Next The Universe some weight relief with his 1.5kg claim while top hoop Hugh Bowman takes the reins aboard Urgent Bells.

CANTERBURY, November 16, 2011 - A change of tactics has proven to be the pivotal factor in returning Ballet Point to the winner's stall in the Follow Rosehill Gardens On Facebook Handicap (1250m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Ballet Point's trainer Kris Lees approached stewards pre-race and advised the instructions to jockey Glyn Schofield would be to ride the daughter of Pins in a more aggressive manner to take up a forward position in running.

The change of plans had the desired effect with jockey Glyn Schofield being able to lead, stack the field up, before Ballet Point gave a strong kick in the straight to fight off the challengers.

“Kris said to me before the race to try to lead and the tactics worked to perfection,” Schofield said.

“When I asked her to settle she came straight back under me, gave me a lovely ride, and found plenty to fend them off.”

Ballet Point ($10) defeated Cincinnati Sioux ($4.60) by a half neck with Vintage Triumph ($8) a further half-length away in third. The 1250 metre was run in 1.13.68 with the last 600 metres covered in 36.20 seconds.

Lees said it was a deserving win for Ballet Point who'd done nothing but improve since being transferred to his stable after spending the first 12 starts of her career in Victoria.

“She's no superstar but she's a trier and those sort of horses are always competitive,” he said.

“We'll go back to the drawing board now and try to find a similar race. I'm sure she can improve again from that run and it will do her confidence the world of good.”

MELBOURNE, October 26, 2011 - Kris Lees has already conceded Saturday's Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) to the raging hot favourite Sepoy but the race shapes as an important point in the career of his runner Uate.

Of the current crop of three-year-old colts only the Darley duo of Sepoy and Helmet have won at Group I level at two and three while no other horse has placed in elite company during their two racing seasons.

If Uate can figure in the placegetters on Saturday he'll become the only horse to have Group I placings on his resume during his two and three-year-old seasons which would see him become the only colt to join the two Peter Snowden-trained stars.

“I'm under no illusions of the task ahead but one thing I know for sure is he had no chance sitting in his box back home in Newcastle,” Lees said.

“I don't think he can beat the favourite but if he can be placed in a Group One at three it won't hurt his value.”

Lees said Uate's below expectations performance first-up when six in the Brian Crowley appeared worse than it was and after some soul searching it was decided to push onto the race that was always labelled as the horse's main spring mission.

“We had some reservations about him after the first-up run but the more we looked into it the more comfortable we were with the performance,” he said.

“The horse has really switched on since that run and his work has been a lot sharper.

“He's come down, settled straight in and we've got the blinkers back on.

“I wouldn't be surprised to see him run into the placings.”

NEWCASTLE – October 25, 2011 - ON the same day as his smart young sprinter Uate left for Melbourne and a shot at Group 1 glory, Kris Lees stole the show at today’s Broadmeadow barrier trial session with a swag of six winners.

Uate galloped earlier this morning on the No 2 grass – the venue for the 11 trials.

The three-year-old – last season’s Newcastle 2YO Of The Year – later left his Newcastle stable en route to Sydney and then Melbourne to take on glamor colt Sepoy in the $502,500 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington’s Melbourne Cup carnival opener on Saturday.

Lees has booked Corey Brown for the Coolmore mount, and he is also likely to have a second carnival representative on Cup day next Tuesday; Hidden Wonder in the $201,500 Group 3 Herald Sun Stakes (1400m). This is an event for mares run at set weights with penalties.

Damien Oliver is on standby for the Hidden Wonder mount. The mare also galloped strongly at Broadmeadow this morning.

Lees’ winners at today’s trials were Godwilling, Single Play, Next The Universe, A Bridge Too Far, Certifiable and Singa Songa.

He almost made it seven; Nothin Leica Storm went under by a long head to El Alamo in the final 800m Maiden trial.

Godwilling, a four-year-old by Caulfield Guineas winner God’s Own, finished strongly to win the sole 1000m Open trial, indicating he is finally ready to resume his racing career.

Godwilling, with Hugh Bowman up, impressively won a 1200m Wyong Maiden on October 1 last year on debut, but hasn’t raced since.

“We’ve had him in work a couple of times and had some feet issues,” Lees explained.

“He has now had three trials this time back and should be ready to go the races.

“There’s no doubt he is a promising horse.”

Single Play and Next The Universe – both city winners – each won 800m Open heats.

“Singe Play won four of her first five starts, but then she became hard to place and her form tapered off to some extent,” Lees said.

“On today’s trial performance, hopefully she has turned the corner.”

Next The Universe, who hasn’t raced since scoring over 1200m at Randwick on July 2, has won two of her 14 starts – and has been placed on eight occasions.

“She is a very genuine mare who tries her heart out,” Lees said.

A Bridge Too Far (Foreplay-Mill Bridge) won the only two-year-old trial over 800m. Though he had only three rivals, he scored by more than four lengths in the style of a horse with a future.

Lees has an extra incentive to win races with this youngster. His mother Vicki races A Bridge Too Far in partnership with long-time stable supporter Nick Moraitis.

Certifiable and Singa Songa both won 3YO Maiden heats, also run over 800m. Neither horse is yet to race.

Certifiable (Not A Single Doubt  – Plain Crazy) won his heat against his own sex by one and a quarter lengths.

Singa Songa, a daughter of General Nediym and former good staying mare Portland Singa, the 2005 Brisbane Cup winner, had one and a half lengths to spare in her trial success.