They said the $2million Group I ATC Sydney Cup (3200m) was as open as the Sydney Heads and so it proved to be with veteran Kris Lees trained import Changingoftheguard (IRE) leading all the way to win at 50-1.
A wily old customer these days that can mix his form, Changingoftheguard started life at Ballydoyle in the care of Aidan O’Brien and was fifth in the Group I Epsom Derby and won the Group II King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot as a three year-old.
He won a Listed race at Randwick last spring before running ninth in the Melbourne Cup and in three runs this year his form had been moderate at best.
Kris Lees elected to put blinkers back on Changingoftheguard for this assignment and with Jason Collett to ride he proved the best stayer on the day.
The seven year-old gelding led around the turn and brushed aside the first wave of challengers before sticking solid late to hold off Soul of Spain (IRE) to win by a neck in the famous navy and white colours of Lloyd and Nick Williams.
“It’s a great thrill, to win in those colours too. What a lovely rated ride, I thought he was actually going too slow. He got him back to 14 (second sectionals), he goes quicker in trackwork most mornings. But he upped the ante when they came up around him and it was really pleasing,” said Kris Lees.
“As he’s gotten older, he’s a little bit cunning. He looks after himself when the tracks are wet. He held back last week, you could see he just didn’t have that same action that he’s normally got.
“He ran a bold race in the Melbourne Cup (9th) and we said we’ll save them (blinkers) for Sydney. It was a good plan and happy to get the win.
“It was exciting just to train for them (Team Williams). Nick is a really good mate and to train for LLoyd and to win a prestigious race like this is a huge thrill.”
With five wins and five placings from 22 starts and total prizemoney topping $2.2million, Changingoftheguard is a half-brother to stakes-winner Chantez and is the best of four winners from five foals to race from Group II winning Excellent Art mare Lady Lara.
Bred by Ben Sangster, Changingoftheguard is the 104th Group I winner for legendary Coolmore super sire Galileo who passed away back in 2021.
