Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has planned only three lead-up races, beginning at Randwick on Saturday week, for imported stayer Protectionist’s Melbourne Cup title defence.

Lees is hoping Sydney’s leading jockey Hugh Bowman will partner Protectionist through his spring campaign after riding him in a Broadmeadow 1200m barrier trial win on Monday morning.

Bowman has first refusal of the mount in Saturday week’s G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

“Hugh will have first go with the horse in the Chelmsford, so obviously I’m hoping he is keen to stay with him through to the Cup,” Lees said after the trial.

“Protectionist worked into the trial nicely in the straight, but idled a little bit when he ranged up to them.

“Importantly, he has pulled up well, so we’re ready now to go back to the races with him.”

Lees was pleased to see the five-year-old get his spring campaign underway after the former German stayer was injured when seventh to Grand Marshal in the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick in April.

“Our hands are tied with him as a result of his enforced lay-off after the Sydney Cup otherwise he would be well and truly up and going by now,” Lees said.

“Now that we’ve got him back fit and well I want to space his runs leading into the Melbourne Cup.”

After the Chelmsford, Protectionist will contest the G2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. He will then venture to Melbourne for the G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 10.

The Herbert Power was the race where Protectionist turned in an eye-catching Australian debut fourth for his then German trainer Andreas Wohler last spring before his dominant Melbourne Cup success under English jockey Ryan Moore.

This year’s $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) will be run at Flemington on November 3.

Lees was also pleased with stablemate Lucia Valentina and her trial performance on Monday morning, confirming that she will also resume at Randwick on Saturday week in the G2 Tramway Stakes (1400m which she won first-up from a spell last year.

Brenton Avdulla rode the New Zealand-owned mare in the 900m heat where she finished on the placegetters’ heels in a bunched finish.

“That was her second trial, and she ran up to expectations,” Lees said.

“She will take good improvement from the hitout.”

Lees is undecided about Lucia Valentina’s path after the Tramway.

“We have a couple of options - I have nominated her for the Epsom Handicap,” Lees said.

Lucia Valentina did not contest the Epsom last year. Instead, she raced in Melbourne on the same day where she won the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before finishing third in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 3 is an enticing carro9t this year following a prizemoney hike to $1 million.