Kris Lees is considered to be one of Australia’s most elite trainers with multiple Group One wins under his belt. The Newcastle-based trainer was handed the reigns for In Her Time a few weeks short of last year’s edition of The Everest. Far from being flustered, Lees stepped in with confidence and ensured that it was a smooth transition for the mare.

Eventually, she delivered  Now Lees has had more time to prepare In Her Time for The Everest. Everest Diaries chats with the legendary trainer about his plans:

ED: Could you please tell us about In Her Time and how she has grown from last year to this?

KL: She's a mature aged mare so she hasn't changed a great deal She had a nice break after her short summer campaign in Melbourne. She is in very good order and she's got plenty of condition on her as she heads into this preparation 

ED: In terms of the 3P’s (Pedigree, Performance and physical condition: could you tell us why In Her Time is best placed to win The Everest this year?

KL: She is from a very fast family pedigree-wise.

Performance-wise she’s competed at the highest levels. Just two starts back she’s won the (Group One: Lightning States over a 1000 m at Flemington, she has raced really well at Randwick over her lifetime.

I feel she is in the top half a dozen sprinters in the country 

ED: What are the plans for In Her Time before & after The Everest?

KL: She is going to have one possibly two runs leading into the Everest. From there she will take a similar course but to last year. She's likely to go to Melbourne for the Darley Sprint. Eventually, I'd like to get her to Hong-Kong for the end of the year for the Hong Kong International Sprint.

ED: The Everest prize purse is significantly higher than any other sprint or turf race anywhere else in the world. Do you expect to see the prize money continue to grow higher up? Or will it touch a glass ceiling?

KL: I think with the amount of exposure this race has gotten; I can see (the prize money: growing again. The slot holders were locked in for a period of 3 years which expires this year after this race. I think there could be even more interest, which could see this race become even more of a higher-stakes race.

ED: When you prepare to visit the sales with serious intent to buy, what is your process and what is the sort of timelines we are talking about after the catalogue is published until the final sale date?

KL: After reviewing the sales catalogue, I try to get around to as many studs as we can, in the lead up to the sales, we do first looks and then second looks and then decide what is the plan going forward.

ED: If was not for horses, what would have been the next best career for you?

KL: I have grown up on a racecourse. I don’t think I will be suited for anything else.

ED: From the list of existing contenders which ones do you think would be the one to beat for her?

KL: Without knowing the final field I think it is still a very open race. Arcadia Queen brings a very strong firm line (and: form. She is going to be very strong after her 6 furlongs but she is a 1600m – 2000m horse. She does deserve a lot of interest

ED: The decade is almost over. What is on your bucket list of things to do before 2030?

KL: I think any future races extremely hard to win would be challenging. Also, I would love to travel a horse competitively overseas. I think that would be a great thrill.