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Knights legend Hughes puts Lees through his paces

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If Newcastle’s leading horse trainer Kris Lees was a thoroughbred himself, he’d be a “real honest toiler”.

That’s the opinion of one of the Knights’ favourite sons, Mark Hughes, who’s been overseeing the fitness regime of the premiership-winning racing mentor as he prepares four runners for the $1 million The Hunter at Broadmeadow this weekend.

Gem Song, Special Reward, Countofmontecristo and Wandabaa will carry the stable’s hopes in the prestigious feature event at the stand-alone meeting on Saturday 13 November.

And, to ensure Lees stays fit, healthy and stress-free, Hughes is putting him through his paces at Air Locker Kotara, a gym the ex-NRL star owns.

“Kris trains all the horses but who trains Kris?” he said.

“Someone has to keep him in shape.

“I’ve got an Air Locker at Kotara, as well as Newcastle, and it’s a great way to train.

“Through regular classes in an altitude environment, the human body is exposed to a surrounding that naturally helps it to adapt both physically and mentally, and to perform more efficiently and effectively.

“Kris really rips in, he’s fit, no doubt about it.

“However, if he was a racehorse, I don’t think The Everest would be for him.

“He’d need a longer distance; but he’d give it all he’s got.”

Lees admitted the group training was important for his health and mental wellbeing.

“If you can do anything when your phone’s not with you an hour, it doesn’t hurt,” he said.

“It’s a great way to switch off.

“I enjoy it – and it blows the cobwebs out.

“It’s just a shame Mark’s a hard task master,” he added with a laugh.

That’s all part of the banter between Lees and Hughes.

The pair boasts a friendship that’s endured more than two decades.

“We’ve been great mates since I came down to Newcastle at the age of 20,” the founder of the Mark Hughes Foundation said.

“I gelled with Fred (Kris) straight away – and his dad, the late Max Lees.

“I loved horse racing and he loved rugby league.

“So, it was a good mix.

“Fred was great mates with a lot of the boys at the Knights at the time, too – and still is.

“We’ve always enjoyed a close relationship; we’ve done a bit of business together, I’ve had horses with him and our kids are terrific friends as well.

“Tactical Advantage was a wonderful galloper.

“We had a lot of success with him, even finishing second in The Hunter in 2019.

“I’ve always followed the Lees stable.

“But, it’s a tough race this weekend.

“Knowing Fred as well as I do, I’m sure he’ll give his horses every opportunity to win.”

Hughes has nothing but praise for the concept of the esteemed million-dollar sprint over 1300m.

“The Hunter is a great event for Newcastle,” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“There’s some elite races in NSW, with The Golden Eagle, The Everest and the Kosciuszko.

“It’s fantastic the Newcastle Jockey Club gets its turn.

“I love the fact Kembla Grange has a similar meeting, too.

“Bringing big races and big events to these communities is crucial moving forward.

“All I ask is for people to support local racing.

“Broadmeadow’s home to an iconic racetrack.

“It would be great to see it spring into action with a massive crowd on Saturday.”

More more sports stories:

Lees keen to break drought in The Hunter

NJC backs a winner in new chief executive

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