Kris Lees marked one of the standout moments in his distinguished training history by steering Changingoftheguard to a front-running success in the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The syndicate-owned galloper, featuring prominent figures like Lloyd and Nick Williams among the owners, defied odds of $51 yet received flawless handling from Jason Collett up front, repelling rivals to claim the endurance showdown.
This victory coincides with the 20th anniversary of Lees’ initial Sydney Cup success alongside his veteran County Tyrone.
“When County Tyrone won the Sydney Cup it was one of my biggest thrills in racing, ” Lees said. “But I would have to say this is just as big a thrill. ”
Changingoftheguard’s triumph followed Lees securing his sixth victory in the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championships Final, where he also filled the quinella as Lord Of Biscay bested stable companion Imposant.
The top Newcastle conditioner, hailed by Nick Williams as the “nicest guy in racing,” acknowledged that the Sydney Cup score with Changingoftheguard stood out as a highlight in his professional journey.
“It is exciting just to train for them (Team Williams), ” Lees said.
“Nick is a really good mate and to train for LLoyd and to win a prestigious race like this is a huge thrill. ”
Lloyd Williams, enshrined in the Hall of Fame, holds the record for Melbourne Cup triumphs with seven and now boasts a fifth Sydney Cup courtesy of Changingoftheguard, adding to prior conquests via Gallante (2016), Mourayan (2013), Gallic (2007), and Major Drive (1987).
At $51, Changingoftheguard marked the largest upset in the Sydney Cup since the 200/1 shot Murray King led flag-to-flag exactly a century back, edging Soul Of Spain ($8) by a half neck as Highland Bling ($17) trailed a short neck further back in third.
River Of Stars plunged to $5 favoritism with heavy support but, after advancing to threaten at the bend, weakened to seventh place.
Sired by legendary Galileo, Changingoftheguard launched his racing life under Irish master Aidan O’Brien, securing three triumphs from nine early outings including the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and a fifth to Desert Crown in the 2022 English Derby.
Lloyd and Nick Williams acquired Changingoftheguard afterward and entrusted him to Lees for preparation.
In almost three years with Lees, Changingoftheguard has contested just 13 races, steadily progressing through campaigns; last autumn, he captured the City Tattersalls Club Cup and placed ninth to Half Yours in the Melbourne Cup.
“He ran a bold race in the Melbourne Cup and we said after that we would save the blinkers for the Sydney Cup, ” Lees said. “They were always going on, we were just trying to wait for today. It was a good plan and I’m happy we got the result.
“It’s a great thrill to win in those colours too. What a lovely, rated ride by Jason (Collet), I thought he was actually going too slow.
“He got him back to 14 (second sectionals), the horse goes quicker in trackwork most mornings, but they upped the ante when they came up around him and it was really pleasing. “
Collett conceded he had been somewhat harsh on Changingoftheguard following a mere ninth in last week’s Chairman’s Quality, but a pre-race discussion with Lees restored his belief.
“Kris said to me before the race that on the wet track last week the horse’s ‘wheels spun’, ” Collett said.
“Then Kris said if the horse finds the bridle he’ll want to do it and he did. It was very lonely down the back straight, but I loved it though.
“It’s a good feeling when a horse gets in a good rhythm like that. We don’t get too many opportunities here in Australia over these distances. “
Collett noted that as Changingoftheguard resisted Newlook early in the straight, his assurance grew.
“When he didn’t throw in the towel I thought ‘that’s a change’, ” Collett said. So that definitely gave me some confidence and although it’s a long straight, it’s pretty cool to win a Sydney Cup. ”
Tommy Berry delivered an outstanding effort aboard runner-up Soul Of Spain and reflected on the barrier’s impact. “Soul Of Spain did a massive effort from the barrier. If he draws a gate, he arguably wins but the winner has done a good job in front as well, ” Berry said.
Highland Bling, a relatively unexposed stayer with placings in the Adelaide Cup and Sydney Cup this preparation, prompted jockey Ben Thompson to insist greater achievements lie ahead. “It was a great run by Highland Bling, ” Thompson said.
“At start 16 it feels like he’s got a stack of scope left. To run third in this grade
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