![Kris Lees is hoping dual stakes winner Infancy, who is in foal to Anamoe, can secure a place in the $2 million Invitation at Randwick. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/1874036.jpg)
Dual stakes winner Infancy will be carrying more than just the hopes of her connections if she receives a hoped-for berth in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick.
The six-year-old was recently served by young stallion Anamoe, and trainer Kris Lees believes she can add to both her CV and prizemoney before she begins her next chapter as a broodmare.
Lees is hoping to receive confirmation early in the week that Infancy has secured a spot in The Invitation (1400m) next Saturday, and says he’s had luck with several mares who have raced while in foal.
“She’s had a little freshen-up where she went to a stallion, being Anamoe, and she’s still positive,” Lees said.
“The majority race better (in foal). Some have an adverse effect, but there’s no suggestion of that.”
Lees is also keen to get Infancy back to Randwick where she has posted her two black-type wins in the 2024 Fireball Quality (1100m) and last year’s Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m).
The mare was competitive at the highest level when sixth in the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June, and has turned in a brace of encouraging runs since, the latest a closing fourth in the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at her home track of Newcastle.
“She went to Brisbane and had a couple of runs over the winter and came back, so she hasn’t really spelled. I’ve kept her in light work and raced her sparingly,” he said.
“She ran really well in the Tibbie. They walked and she charged home.
“It will be five weeks into the Invitation with a trial.
“Her win record isn’t great because she is a backmarker, but she’s raced at a high grade, she’s a dual stakes winner, and has had numerous bad luck stories, as those style of horses do.
“All her best runs have been at Randwick, and any rain won’t hurt her.”
Lees has Dylan Gibbons on standby to partner Infancy, who would join a select field for the invitation-only race which already has nine confirmed runners, including Group 1 winners Lazzura and Idle Flyer, along with Nivison victor Gerringong.
The trainer also confirmed Golden Rose placegetter Under Focus was being targeted towards the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on October 31 and was likely to trial down the straight on Friday.
