Scone Cup: Checking out the horses on their way to the gate. Pic: PETER STOOP,
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is making a nice habit of winning the main sprint at the Scone Cup carnival.
His domination of the race continued with Motspur on Saturday.
Motspur won his second straight listed $120,000 Prydes Easifeed Quality over 1100m.
The race has become the traditional closer of the great two-day carnival and Lees has won the race four times.
As well as Motspur’s double, Lees has scored in the sprint with Force Zulu and Captain Bax, which beat stablemate Ready For Catherine.
‘‘It has been a great race for the stable, and you never know – old Motspur might be back to make it three straight next year,’’ he said.
Motspur, now rising 10, has overcome numerous injuries that have kept him on the sidelines for long periods to show once again what a quality galloper he is.
‘‘He has had his problems over many years but he is not a crock now,’’ Lees said. ‘‘It could be that the injuries were a blessing as he is now still going at an age when most horses are well and truly finished.
‘‘I liken him to Mal Meninga, who had a broken arm and they thought that would finish him but with time he came back and was still a champion footballer at 34.’’
Lees said he would give Motspur a similar preparation as last year.
He is looking at races such as the June Stakes in Sydney, the Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford and the Ramornie at Grafton for Motspur.
