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Trainer Kris Lees says he will be very surprised if the addition of blinkers isn’t the key to his unbeaten colt Graff making a competitive start to his 3YO season at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Star Witness colt takes the first serious step on a Golden Rose Stakes path when he resumes in the $150,000 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and whilst it will be the first time Graff races in blinkers, it isn’t the first time he has been scheduled to do so.

“I put them on him for the Sires Produce Stakes at Doomben in May but he was a late scratching at the start when there was a barrier incident,” Lees explained.

“The reason I did that was because he got off the bridle at a vital stage before he won the Clarendon Stakes at Hawkesbury’s stand-alone meeting in late April.

“I’m sure the blinkers will help him focus better.

“There’s no doubt Graff is going to appreciate longer than Saturday’s 1100m, but I’m very happy with his progress.

“He trialled strongly at Gosford earlier in the month, and should get a nice run from his inside draw.”

Lees is aiming Graff at the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 22. His final lead-up will be in the $200,000 Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 8.

While Graff drew the coveted rails barrier Lees’ other Rosehill representative Upscale wasn’t so fortunate.

She has to jump from near the outside in her 1100m event as her racing career draws to a close after recording four wins in 15 starts.

“I’m hoping she can run well so that she can go to the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill on September 8,” Lees said.

“Some rain is forecast for Saturday, and that would certainly help her chances.”

Lees has sent his talented sprinter Guard Of Honour to Queensland chasing another victory at the Sunshine Coast metropolitan meeting on Saturday.

Guard Of Honour’s outside draw in the 1000m sprint hasn’t deterred Kris Lees from sending him north, and he expects him to be hard to beat providing forecast rain doesn’t eventuate.

“I wouldn’t run him if the track becomes heavy,” Lees said.

“Provided the track is okay he will be hard to beat. He is going as well now as when he won the Bat Out Of Hell at the Gold Coast in May.”

The five-year-old won three of his six starts last preparation and hasn’t raced since carrying 57kg to victory in the Bat Out Of Hell.

Guard Of Honour trialled well when he hit the line strongly to finish behind Show Me The Honey and inaugural Everest winner Redzel in an 800m Gosford trial on August 6.

Lees will also run Admiral Jello, Tawfiq Boy and recent acquisition Miss Wonderland at the Sunshine Coast meeting.

He has decided to remove blinkers from Admiral Jello, who will appreciate a step up in distance and drop in class.

Lees said Miss Wonderland will relish a wet track if the rain arrives.