Newcastle trainer Kris Lees had a day to remember at Randwick last Saturday, winning the $2 million Group 1 Sydney Cup and the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championship Final (1400 metres).
He won the cup with 50-1 outsider, Changingoftheguard, ridden by Jason Collett. Collett sent the seven-year-old straight to the front and he held on to score by a half-neck from fast-finishing Soul Of Spain, with Highland Bling a similar margin away in third place.
“A great thrill ... and what a lovely rated ride. I thought he was actually going too slow. He goes quicker in trackwork most mornings. He upped the ante, though, when they came up around him,” said Lees, who credited a gear change as a significant factor in the victory.
He was referring to the addition of blinkers. 
Jason Collett then complimented both horse and trainer on the win. “He’s very tough,” he said of Changingoftheguard.
“I think when Rachel King (who rode Newlook) came to me down the side and my horse didn’t throw in the towel, I thought, that’s a change. 
“That definitely gave me a bit of confidence.”
Earlier on the program, Lees claimed the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400 metres) with Lord Of Biscay, ridden by James McDonald.
The winner, who started favourite, romped away from his rivals to score by three lengths. Imposant got closest, with Matcha Latte third a further half-length away.
Super result for Troy
At Tamworth last Friday, the 1200-metre Super Maiden was won by the Troy O’Neile-trained three-year-old Hinto, ridden by four-kilo claiming apprentice  Angel Brennan.
The winner started at 16/1 while the two minor placegetters both started at 30/1. 
Brennan finished the meeting with a winning double to share riding honours with Shannen Llewellyn. 
Perfect by Perfumest
Wellington Race Club conducted its Showcase meeting last Sunday. Feature event on the eight-race program was the 1700 metre Wellington Cup.
In an exciting finish, the Bjorn Baker-trained mare Perfumist got home by a half-head from the longshot Green Run. Instead was a further length-and-a-half away in third place.
In the following race, the $200,000  Wellington Boot (1100 metres), Hellenic Belle, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, won comfortably under the guidance of Braith Nock.
In the final race on the program, the 1100-metre Wellington Town Plate, Chandon Star, who is trained by Jane Clement and was ridden by Shannen Llewellyn, defeated the favourite Pride To Follow by a length with a further length-and-a-quarter to the third placegetter Cougars.
Earlier on the program, the $50,000 Super Maiden (1400 metres) was won by four-year-old Strassman who was ridden by Clayton Gallagher.
 Trainer Brett Thompson and jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes combined to win two races at the meeting. Pracey-Holmes shared riding honours  with Braith Nock who also rode a double.
On the same day at Gundagai, the 1800m Gundagai Cup  was won by Sylvia Thompson’s Quamby, ridden by Brendan Ward. Miss Stalwart ran second.
Racing feast coming up ...
On Friday, Orange will hold its Showcase meeting. The feature race on the eight-race program is the $75,000 Orange Gold Cup over 1600 metres.
This race is a Big Dance eligibility event.  The main supporting races will be the 1000m Cup Day Sprint and the $50,000  Super Maiden (1280 metres).
On Saturday at Dubbo, the $50,000 Arrowfield Queen of the West (1200 metres) will be the feature race.
On the same afternoon at Merriwa, the 1350m Merriwa Cup takes centre stage while Tomingley will host the 1500m Tomingley Picnic.
On Sunday there will be meetings at Grafton and Wagga. At the latter, the two main races on what promises to be a great afternoon will be the 1800m Murrumbidgee Cup and the 1200m Town Plate Prelude.