Champion jockey James McDonald ensured Night Agent had a clear run and secured an easy victory in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap over 1400 metres.

Trainer Kris Lees had considered Night Agent a potential contender for the Provincial Championships next autumn, but the gelding’s dominant performance at Randwick has prompted a reconsideration.

“We were thinking the Provincial Championships but hopefully he is too good for that,” Lees stated. “It was a really good win and a magnificent ride by James Mcdonald. “I was guarded about whether to run the horse early in the week but he came into barrier 10 after scratchings. “James came out and said he would be one-one (one out and one back), I was happy with that and that’s where he was.”

“It was a dominant win and we might look at getting him ready for the Silver Eagle on Everest Day (October 17),” he added.

Night Agent, the $4.40 favourite, surged clear in the final stages to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths. The fast-finishing Unleeshing ($4), who experienced some misfortune, claimed second place right on the line, narrowly beating the early pace-setter Castlejohn ($4.40).

McDonald referred to Night Agent as a “work in progress”. “He’s still doing a few things wrong but he’s a very nice horse and will only continue to improve,” McDonald said.

The gelding has exceeded Lees’ expectations this spring, improving his record to four wins from eight starts. “We have always had a good opinion of him, he’s a nice horse,” Lees commented. “We may look at the Silver Eagle now. Whether that is aiming a bit high, I don’t know but the race is a month away and he likes to have his runs spaced.”

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