It was the fifth anniversary yesterday of the death of the man who rode into Australian racing history with his champion Luskin Star.

On the day when Lees's memory was again in the forefront of everyone in Newcastle racing, his son Kris delivered the perfect tribute to his late father, who died from cancer.

He scored an emotional win with Klish Klash in the Manawapoi Handicap over 1500 metres.

"Time goes quick, too quick," Lees said yesterday.

"When I woke up this morning it hit me that we hadn't set anything to try and win a race today, it just happened, and I'm glad it did."

Lees said his father's passing was remembered in the best way by some of his old Newcastle racing friends.

"About 10 of Dad's old mates have gathered in the members' bar to have a beer for him," Lees said. "That certainly would be something Dad would have loved."

Lees has done his father proud since taking the reins of the stable, going on to group 1 successes in The Metropolitan and Sydney Cup with County Tyrone, the Queensland Oaks with Vitesse Dane and the Champagne Stakes last season with Samantha Miss.

The boom filly proved she could be headed for glory at the highest level again this season when she won the Silver Shadow Stakes over 1200m at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

"Samantha Miss knows she's had a run but she'll be fine for Saturday week's Furious Stakes," he said.

Another of Broadmeadow's big spring hopes, Newport, showed he could be on track for Australia's greatest handicap races when he stormed home to win the Navy Seal Welter (1400m) yesterday.

The Paul Perry-trained Newport, which two years ago won the group 2 Brisbane Cup over 2400m, had not raced since finishing last at Canterbury on April 5.

Perry has nominated Newport for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Newport missed the start at Broadmeadow yesterday, but the $8 chance proved too good for Stone Canyon ($9.50) to win by a neck.

Mynedi Mine ($8.50) finished in third place.

Ridden confidently back in the field by Nash Rawiller, Newport showed his true ability as it carried 60.5 kilograms over the line.

"He'll have another run in Sydney and then he will go to Melbourne," Perry said.

"That was a great win and obviously he can only improve."