For the second year in succession trainer Kris Lees, jockey Brenton Avdulla and Australian Bloodstock have combined to win the Group III Suez Newcastle Newmarket Hcp (1400m) at Newcastle.
Twelve months ago it was the Canford Cliffs mare Princess Posh who took the feature on her home track before placing in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic and Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup.
This year it was the turn of a relatively new recruit in the stunning near black gelding Special Reward who took the shortest route home to defeat his stablemate Delectation Girl (GB) (Delegator) by one and a half lengths with Condor (Fastnet Rock) three-quarter of a length back in third.
The 4yo son of the Lonhro stallion Demerit was coming off his first stakes win in the Group III Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, which was his third starts for Kris Lees who took over his training from Simon Miller after Australian Bloodstock purchased a significant share off Peter and Kerry Caporn who still share in the ownership.
Lees said the Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick would remain under consideration.
"It was a good win, I think he is a pretty smart horse. They (Australian Bloodstock) paid good money for him and as they do most times they get it pretty right," Lees said.
Brenton Avdulla said he was confident when turning for home.
“He over-travelled a bit, but he felt the winner a long way out,” Avdulla said.
“He took over at the top of the straight and I could not hold him any slower.
“He was a 100 percent fitter than the other day.
“He’s a very astute buy by the Australia Bloodstock boys and the 1400 metres was no worry for him.”
In earning his second stakes win, Special Reward advances his record to 8 wins and 2 seconds from 14 starts with earnings of $675,555.
He is the third winner from four to race out of the Special Bond mare Special Kiseki and all three are stakes-winners.
Special Reward follows the Group III WATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Showy Chloe (Alfred Nobel) and Listed winner El Rijes (Eternity Range).
Special Kiseki has a yearling filly by King's Troop and was covered by Sessions last spring.
Purchased by John Chalmers Bloodstock for $145,000 out of the Taunton Vale draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Special Reward is the most expensive yearling sold by his sire Demerit.
A Group III winning son of Lonhro, Demerit was euthanised last year after breaking a tibia in a paddock accident.
