![Dylan Gibbons guides Lucky Lakota to a last-stride victory in the Max Lees Classic at Newcastle, giving Australian Bloodstock a memorable hometown success. [Bradley Photos]](https://betsy.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/2393953.jpg)
Lucky Lakota gave the locals a hometown win of sorts in the Newcastle stand-alone opener with her fast-finishing effort to take out the $160,000 Max Lees Classic (900m).
Although the winner is prepared by the nation’s leading trainer Ciaron Maher, Lucky Lakota was purchased and syndicated by Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell of Newcastle-based Australian Bloodstock, and ridden by local product Dylan Gibbons.
But it was a finish that tricked most including Gibbons as Lucky Lakota ran down early leader Bronze Lion right on the line.
“I was trying to play the percentages and get on Regan’s back (Bayliss, rider of favourite Stellar Ami) and follow him out,” Gibbons said,.
“But because my filly was having her first starts, she didn’t know how to quicken and push one out of the way.
“When I did switch back (inside), I hoped it wasn’t too late. When I dove I thought we got beaten a head so a so I was pretty pleased to see our number in the frame.”
Lucky Lakota ($11) finished powerfully to reel in Bronze Lion ($3.60) and score by a head with Stellar Ami ($2.45 favourite) one-and-half lengths away third.
Gibbons heaped more praise on Lucky Lakota when he addressed the media post-race.
“She’s got an amazing action for a little filly, she covers ground so well,” Gibbons said.
“I was really impressed with her attitude. She jumped well and travelled nicely.
“She was a bit ‘new’ when I tried to come out but then I went back inside and she saw where the bunny (leader) was and she chased and chased hard.”
Lucky Lakota is a $100,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by the Australian Bloodstock team and her debut opens up some possible big-money race targets for the filly over summer.
She is eligible for races like the $400,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Royal Randwick on December 12 and the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 6.
LUCKY LAKOTA SPROUTS WINGS LATE 😲
A huge win on debut in the Max Lees Classic!
@djgibbons22 @cmaherracing @Austbloodstock https://t.co/YZ71IHx50w
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) November 14, 2026
“We will see how she comes through this win and consider The Nursery,” said Maher’s Sydney racing manager Johann Gerard-Dubord.
“There’s also the possibility we could put her away for the Inglis Millennium.”
Gerard-Dubord said Lucky Lakota has always demonstrated plenty of talent.
“From the moment Australian Bloodstock sent us the filly to train, she has shown us that natural ability,” he said.
“She trialled ‘sharp’ the other day and was very good today. She will learn plenty from that and will come on will come on with the experience.
“It was a very good effort. I didn’t think she got there but she was very strong to the line.”
Maher made the best possible start to the Newcastle stand-alone meeting when he trained a brace in the opening two races when Rock Empire led most of the way to win the Trans Tasman Trophy (1850m).
Nash Rawiller controlled the race from the front on Rock Empire ($3.90) who defeated Stylebender ($26) by nearly three lengths with Fortune ($13) a half length away third.
