Kris Lees to train Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist Ryan Moore crosses the finish line on Protectionist. In the weeks leading up to the Melbourne Cup, Kris Lees was fond of asking anyone how that German horse was going? You only had to be the length of the Flemington straight away from Werribee and you were useful to Lees. Journalists would ring and ask about the progress of his mare Lucia Valentina. He would later respond with a question of his own about Protectionist. Is it any wonder why? From Wednesday morning the likeable Newcastle trainer has a Melbourne Cup winner in his care. Unfortunately, it is not Lucia Valentina, stuck in the midfield scrimmage as Protectionist turned the final two furlongs of the two-miler into a German autobahn of his own. Midfield: Kris Lees, right, with Lucia Valentina. "I only caught it the last few seconds," Lees said of the Melbourne Cup winner, making a mockery of being the least inexperienced horse in this year's Melbourne Cup field full of golden oldies. He was devastating ... that was as dominant a win as you will see. Lees can thank the other half of the "couple of cowboys from Newcastle," which Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett coined to describe the pair which have struck up an association in recent years. Lovett said pre-race he wished nothing more for Protectionist and Lucia Valentina to quinella the Cup. "I couldn't keep my end up, put it that way," Lees quipped after Lucia Valentina wobbled home in 13th, more than 15 lengths from the winner. [But] they are really good fellas and they put their balls on the line so to speak. They can identify a good horse, I know that. While Lees broke into a wry smile as Protectionist thundered to victory, there was little cheer from the jockey of runner-up Red Cadeaux, Gerald Mosse. Beaten by a superstar? "Well, OK he's a nice horse," Mosse said with typical French verve. He's no superstar in Europe. Really? He's a nice horse, had a great weight, great preparation and I don't think he's a bad horse. He's just not a superstar. He did a great job and we were not going very fast and he has a great turn of foot. One Lees will really learn all about for himself from now on.