Former Kiwi wins for Lees

FORMER Kiwi Sound Proposition has made the perfect start for his new trainer.

Previously trained at Matamata by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, Sound Proposition was transferred to Newcastle trainer Kris Lees following an unplaced run on an unsuitable heavy track in the Group I Doomben Cup.

The decision to leave the Group I winner across the Tasman has paid an immediate dividend with the five-year-old son of Savabeel winning an A$100,000 open handicap (1600m) at Randwick yesterday in his first start for Lees.

A winner of the, then Group I, Manco Easter Stakes in 2016, Sound Proposition was also placed in the Bonecrusher Stakes.

In the hands of apprentice Rachel King, Sound Proposition was a two and a quarter length winner.

Lees’ stable representative Lucas Miller was quick to pay credit to O’Sullivan and Scott.

’’He came to us in good order and had a nice trial a few weeks back,’’ he said.

The bottomless track at Doomben may have tripped him up but the heavy surface at Randwick was not an issue.

‘‘His form in New Zealand suggested that he might (handle the heavy). He seemed to appreciate it today and kicked well,’’ Miller said.

Sultan of Swing, who was transferred from Shaune Ritchie’s stable to his brother Craig’s Warwick Farm operation after a luckless Queensland campaign, put in a strong performance to run fourth.

Ex-pat Kiwi trainer Bjorn Baker picked up a winner at Randwick with Collateral but could not get the race he really wanted with Bonny O’Reilly finishing well back in the Group I Tattersall’s Tiara at Doomben.

Meanwhile, promising Kiwi stayer Megablast has finished back in the field at Flemington.

The Nigel Tiley-trained five-year-old started favourite in an A$100,000 open handicap (2520m) on the back of a strong second on his Australian debut last weekend at Moonee Valley.