Ron Stewart gets rare ride for Kris Lees

Lightweight rider Ron Stewart will replace Blake Shinn on Gem Song in the Members Hcp at Doomben.

Lightweight jockey Ron Stewart will have a rare ride for trainer Kris Lees on the talented Gem Song at Doomben.

Gem Song was ridden by Blake Shinn to win the Group Three Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm last Saturday week.

Lees weighed up several options with the Gooree Stud-owned Gem Song before settling on Saturday’s Listed Members Handicap (1600m) in which the colt has 54kg, below Shinn’s limit .

Gem Song is currently favourite for the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) on May 18 but a start is yet to be confirmed.

Lees’ Queensland manager Mel Eggleston said Lees would settle on a final campaign for Gem Song after Saturday.

“I think Kris has the Doomben Cup or the Stradbroke as options, ” Eggleston said.

He said Gem Song had stayed in Queensland after the Gunsynd win and had done well.

“Blake rode him in trackwork on Tuesday and said he was flying,” he said.

“Blake would have loved to ride him on Saturday but can’t make the weight.

“But Ron is very experienced and we should get the run of the race from barrier one.

“It does look a nice race for him at this stage of his career.”

A win would complete a big week for Lees who was inducted into the Newcastle Hall of Fame on Tuesday.