Newcastle trainer Kris Lees decides against running smart imports at Flemington on Saturday

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has decided against sending three high-class stayers to Melbourne to tackle a race at Flemington on Saturday.

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees says his trio of highly-credentialed stayers, including Group 1 Tancred Stakes winner Kalapour, will bypass Saturday’s Flemington meeting.

Lees entered Kalapour along with overseas stakes winners Adelaide River and Changingoftheguard for a 2530m Quality Handicap but none of the three will head south.

Lees said he would wait another week or two to give Kalapour his first start since his third to Melbourne Cup favourite Circle Of Fire in the Group 1 Sydney Cup in April.

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Lees said Kalapour would be among the entries for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but connections had not decided the import’s main spring targets.

“His rating’s obviously gone up after winning a Tancred Stakes,” Lees said.

“He came up with a 110 rating so he’ll be nominated for the Cups.”

Tancred Stakes winner Kalapour will be one of the entries for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Picture: Getty Images

“I’ve got a doubt about him at the two miles and I think he’s a genuine mile-and-a-half horse.

“We’re still a little bit guarded but we’ll enter him and see how he goes, whether he goes to a Caulfield Cup or whether he stays in Sydney for a Metrop, we’ll work that out along the way.”

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While Lees has doubts over Kalapour’s ability to win over 3200m at Group 1 level, he said the son of War Command didn’t have much luck at one previous attempt at the distance.

“He’s had a couple of goes over two miles and he was competitive in a Sydney Cup and he had a torrid run in the Melbourne Cup last year,” Lees said.

Lees could unveil English Group 2 winner Changingoftheguard at The Valley on Saturday week after the former Aidan O’Brien-trained stayer trialled at Warwick Farm on July 26.

Now a member of the Lloyd Williams camp, Changingoftheguard finished fifth in the 2022 English Derby and hasn’t raced since last year’s Royal Ascot carnival.

Trainer Kris Lees could give UK Group 2 winner Changingoftheguard his Australian debut at The Valley on Saturday week: Picture: Getty Images

“We’d like to get him to the Archer with a couple of runs under his belt,” Lees said.

“He’s been off for over a year now so he could be a bit ring rusty after such a long time out.

“But I didn’t mind his trial, he showed some desire and put himself there on a pretty solid tempo throughout so I think that will really bring him on.”

Lees also expected an improved preparation from Irish Derby placegetter Adelaide River after two unplaced efforts during the Brisbane winter carnival.

“I think he’s had genuine excuses at both runs,” Lees said.

“We probably would have liked to have seen a bit more but, again, it was his first Australian prep and we’ll see a more finished product this time around.

“We’re pleased with how he’s coming up.”

Originally published as Newcastle trainer Kris Lees decides against running smart imports at Flemington on Saturday