Protections returns Saturday

2014 Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) is set to have his first start for new trainer Kris Lees in the 1800-meter G2 Peter Young S. at Caulfield Saturday. This will be the first time the former charge of Andreas Wohler is tried over a distance shorter than 2000 meters since his two-year-old season. The well-traveled 5-year-old has won five of his only 10 starts to date, including the G2 Hansa-Preis in Hamburg over 2400 meters, the G2 Prix Kergorlay in Deauville over 3000 meters, and the G1 Melbourne Cup over 3200 meters, where he left the nation’s old favorite Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) four lengths adrift. 

Protectionist will be partnered for the first time by Craig Williams, having been steered to victory by Ryan Moore in Melbourne. He is likely to be up against a strong field with 16 horses nominated, including the Group 1 winners Happy Trails (Aus) (Good Journey) and Beaten Up (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}).