Kris Lees hoping Tavi Time can take the first step towards Big Dance redemption with victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Trainer Kris Lees will have one eye on Big Dance redemption for Tavi Time when his classy campaigner headlines a heavy-handed assault on Hawkesbury's stand-alone card on Saturday.
Lees will nearly have all bases covered with runners in four of the five feature races at the meeting, which is expected to take place on a rain affected track.
Tavi Time ($8) will line up as one of the leading contenders in the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) with Jason Collett back in the saddle.
A spot in this year's $3m Big Dance is the main carrot for Tavi Time, which started favourite in the same race last year before finishing fourth in the main event.
The consistent five-year-old has returned in top order this preparation after finishing a narrow second to Sandpaper first-up at Royal Randwick on All Aged Stakes Day.
'He was good first-up on a solid tempo and was at his top a long way out, which might have just found him out a touch,' Lees said.
'He's going well and the plan is to get him to the Big Dance again.
'He has good soft track form and the one run on really heavy was when the Gosford meeting got transferred to Newcastle so I would probably run him on an (heavy) eight or so.'
Tavi Time will be supported by new arrival Love Poem in the Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m), promising colt Damien in the Clarendon Stakes (1400m) while Brudenell and Bubba's Bay make up a two-pronged attack in the Listed $200,0000 Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m).
Love Poem ($16) is making her debut for Lees in the Guineas.
Sandpaper hangs on to win the last at Randwick! @BBakerRacing | @nashhot | @aus_turf_club | @Darby_Racing pic.twitter.com/eyg6BOMfJE
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025
• Smith's 'unbelievable' win on game-changing day for NSW racing
Kiwi trainer Stephen Marsh had the Snitzel filly to start her career and brought her over for the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes at Royal Randwick on day one of The Championships, where she finished ninth.
Lees was a close observer of the race.
'I thought she raced a bit keenly watching the replay and we didn't have her then,' he said.
'She was little keen and has arrived in good order.
'She looks great and has had a tick over trial. From that gate (14) we probably have to give her a chance to be smothered up a touch.'
Damien ($3.90) is on trial for a potential trip to Queensland and a crack at the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes if he can perform in the Clarendon Stakes with Jason Collett aboard.
The emerging son of Hellbent put a field of older horses away stylishly first-up in a dominant 1200m event on home turf at Newcastle.
'Damien has returned in good order,' Lees said.
'It was a pretty strong maiden win against older horses, albeit I am not sure how much depth there was, it was a good test for him.
It's Brudenell's Abell Stakes, careering away for a classy victory ðŸ'«
Mark Zahra & Kris Lees combine for Listed success at The Valley � pic.twitter.com/4ZdkAngq4J
â€' Racing.com (@Racing) February 28, 2025
• Shayne O'Cass's race-by-race tips, analysis for Hawkesbury on Saturday
'Being by Hellbent would suggest he will handle the ground but we will see. He looked OK when he trialled on it and wasn't put under a great deal of pressure so I would say it was a little inconclusive on whether he handles it.'
Sprinters Brudenell ($12) and Bubba's Bay ($9) are at opposite ends of their preparations.
Brudenell, to be ridden by Dylan Gibbons, is deep in his preparation and is looking to bounce back to his best after being caught wide and fading in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes last start.
Bubba's Bay is returning from a spell with Josh Parr booked to ride.
'Brudenell was a forgive run, off the track and working at Rosehill, they never win,' Lees said.
'He is a fit horse so soft is fine but really heavy is a reconsider.
'Bubba's Bay is a really consistent race mare and her trials have been good.
'She will sprint well fresh and improve with racing. We don't want it really heavy first-up.'
'There are a lot of fillies and mares options for her and I wouldn't rule out a Tatt's Tiara for her.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mercury
a day ago
- Mercury
Kris Lees filly You Wahng claims Queensland Oaks after marathon float trip
Recent floods nearly left You Wahng stranded in NSW, but the Kris Lees filly overcame travel challenges to take out the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm. Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Kris Lees-trained filly You Wahng was lucky to be even running in Saturday's Queensland Oaks (2200m), let alone winning the Group 1 at Eagle Farm. But that's exactly what she did in a stirring performance, although it nearly didn't happen because of the recent floods on the NSW Mid North Coast. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Lees said it took a marathon 16 hours of travel, comprising two trips, to even get the filly to Brisbane and didn't the waiting game pay off. In an exciting fight to the line, $19 chance You Wahng held on grimly to defeat the James Cummings-trained Pinito ($6), with Group 1 Australasian Oaks champion Benagil a distant third in the $700,000 contest for 3YO fillies. • What the jockeys said: 2025 Queensland Oaks 'There were floods at Taree so I had to spend the night at Armidale and then come across,' a jubilant Lees said. 'Each trip was like eight hours, so it was two lots of eight hours just to get here (to Brisbane). 'It doubled the travelling time. 'She was very stirred up in The Roses (at Doomben) and I thought 'oh we're off here' and I was thinking she'd be going to the paddock. 'But she actually ran super and came out of it well so she's a tough filly.' â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 You Wahng finished a creditable fifth in The Roses (2000m) on May 24 in a Group 2 race won by Queensland Oaks favourite Philia, who struggled to cope with the extra 200m on Saturday. Philia dropped out to finish eighth, ending her four-race winning streak, after starting as the $4.20 favourite. • Dale ponders shot at Stradbroke with Front Page Lees admitted he was a little surprised at the victory, although he knew You Wahng was capable of an upset following her excellent third in the Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 12 behind super filly Treasurethe Moment and Sun 'N' Sand. When You Wahng finished last in the Listed The Coast at Gosford last month, Lees wasn't exactly brimming with confidence. 'Look we lost confidence after she went to Gosford for a prep run to get her back on track but she was a bit plain,' he said. • Sunrays ends stellar campaign as trainer resists Group 1 lure '(Jockey) Andrew Gibbons suggested putting a tongue-tie on and she's reacted really well to that. 'It was a lovely ride from Tommy. He was able to get us straight across from the gate and got into a lovely position in running. 'He had a lot of horse coming to the corner, but I was always just a little guarded that last furlong when she presented, but she was able to find under pressure. 'She probably got to him a bit early in The Roses, so Tommy was adamant we just needed to hold her up for a furlong sprint and he produced her at the right time today. 'She looked the winner a long way from home. 'She was on her last legs late but she found something extra under pressure so that was very pleasing.' You Wahng will now head to the paddock for a 'well-deserved' spell. 'That's her first city win, actually,' Lees said. 'She'll have a well-deserved rest because she's had a good prep. She's been up all throughout and we thought after the Oaks in Sydney we were a chance and she's delivered.' Originally published as You Wahng claims Queensland Oaks after marathon float trip Horse Racing David Payne, renowned for his unconventional training methods, once again demonstrated his expertise as Shohisha claimed an upset victory at Randwick. Horse Racing Trainer Matt Dale faces a tough decision on whether to give Moreton Cup winner Front Page a crack at the Stradbroke Handicap or send the veteran sprinter for a spell.
News.com.au
27-05-2025
- News.com.au
Kris Lees leaning towards Lord Mayor's Cup at Eagle Farm for Tavi Time
Trainer Kris Lees has confirmed Tavi Time will run in the Lord Mayor's Cup – but it is most likely at Eagle Farm and not Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Tavi Time, the last-start Scone Cup winner, is entered for two races of the same name and is topweight with 59.5kg for Sydney's version, a Listed race worth $200,000 and run over 2000m. • Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg Polson and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! But Lees admitted he is leaning to Brisbane's Group 3 race with the same prizemoney at 1800m. 'I would say Tavi Time will go to Queensland to run in the Lord Mayor's Cup at Eagle Farm,'' Lees said. 'The Eagle Farm race is 1800m so that is a nice progression. I was trying to find a mile race for him but there wasn't much on offer. 'Tavi Time was really good in the Scone Cup, he's trained on well, and I'm very happy with him. He's only early in his preparation so he should be right at his peak for Saturday.'' Lees also has Amokura ready to make her return to racing in Sydney's Lord Mayor's Cup with the mare allocated 56.5kg. Amokura hasn't won since her Group 1 Queensland Oaks triumph two years ago but Lees said the mare is coming up well after having nearly 12 months off racing. 'She's had a long grounding for this preparation and will appreciate some give in the track,'' Lees said. 'But I just don't want it really heavy for her first-up so we will have a good look at our options in the next couple of days.'' The champion Newcastle trainer has a strong team of nine entered for the Rosehill meeting including Rogue Bear (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1500m), Kind Words (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1800m), First Person (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1200m), Power Of The Brave and Alliri (Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1100m), Like Luke (Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1500m), and Damien (2YO Handicap, 1300m). Interestingly, Lees has accepted with his emerging filly Eclair Encore in the Group 1 $1m Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Eclair Encore is first emergency after the Derby attracted a full field of 18 including three fillies, Femminile, Belle Detelle and Chase Your Dreams. 'We weren't sure where Eclair Encore is in the order of entry for the Oaks next week so for that reason we decided to go to the Derby,'' the trainer revealed. 'She was a bit unlucky last start and is a filly that will stay. We could even back up with her in the Oaks if she comes through Saturday in good order.'' Lees revealed he has never prepared a Derby winner during his celebrated training career but his late father, Max, did win a Queensland Derby with County Tyrone in 2002.
Mercury
24-05-2025
- Mercury
Gunnedah preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 25, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Trainer Scott Singleton's 400th winner, Fiorsum Fred, could go from Highway winner to Gunnedah Cup to potential Big Dance participant should he be successful in the town feature. The son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente was the first leg of a Highway/Dark Jewel Classic double for Singleton at the annual Scone stand-alone. The emphatic Highway win of Fiorsum Fred propelled his trainer to a milestone, both welcomed but not entirely unexpected. 'It didn't surprise me that he won,' Singleton said. 'It might have surprised me a little bit that it was easy work for him. 'He had his ears pricked the last furlong.' There are 163 days until the first Tuesday in November and even further from a current Highway winner to Big Dance winner but Singleton is looking no further away than the Gunnedah Cup. 'Even with the Big Dance eligibility it is just a suitable race for him,' Singleton said. 'I think he'd be in that sort of race right up to his eyeballs if he gets the run right.' Jenny Duggan will steer Fiorsum Fred in his Cup quest, she'll also have the reins of stablemate Insightful Award who tackles the Pursehouse Rural Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap (1250m). A daughter of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, Insightful Award was a six lengths winner at home at Scone on March 4. She clocked in midfield at Quirindi at her most recent appearance but lost few admirers despite her somewhat costly defeat. 'She just got a bit too far back there last start and had to scout wide,' said Singleton. 'It was actually not a bad run, a better run that it will look on paper. 'I had a quick look at it and I didn't think it looked an overly deep race. 'I think she would be well in a race like that, particularly from a good gate.' Singleton's remaining runner of the Gunnedah Cup undercard is the speedy Outishka whose sole visit to the venue prior to this weekend saw her run her rivals off their legs to win a 900m Class 1 by five lengths. The daughter of Canonbury Stakes runner-up Outreach will no doubt find this assignment considerably easier than her May 7 mission at the midweeks where she beat one home but with excuses. 'I thought it was a pass mark,' Singleton said. 'She got taken on from the get-go and they were already going too quick so she was entitled to stop I thought. 'She had to go down there, and even though we claimed, she had topweight so she will carry less weight at Gunnedah. 'Back to country grade and those tracks like Moree and Gunnedah, places that she has run well at in the past, are her go.' Outishka wears a familiar set of colours; those of her breeder Dr Max Kowalczuk, and her two most famous equine relatives. One of those was Singleton and Kowalczuk's Hawkesbury Guineas winner, Shazee Lee. The other was Melody Again, now also known as the reigning Group 3 Dark Jewel winner. SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 4 No.14: TROUNCE Million dollar yearling who should be able to play a prominent part in the outcome. NEXT BEST Race 1 No.1: GEMOLOGIST Comfortable winner of the Star Kingdom debut. Drawn 1 and Aaron Bullock again. VALUE BET Race 5 No. 14: FULL COMMITMENT Reliable type who sent out all the right signals first-up that a win was close by. QUADDIE Race 5: 5, 6, 14 Race 6: 1, 6, 9 Race 7: 4, 8 Race 8: 1, 10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Aaron Bullock will be short odds to win another TAB Jockeys Challenge. Aaron Bullock looks set for a good day at Gunnedah. Picture: Getty Images INSIDE MAIL - GUNNEDAH RACE 1: ULTRA LUBRICANTS 2YO SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1000m GEMOLOGIST (1) knocked off a $1 million yearling, namely Jet, when winning the coveted Star Kingdom at Muswellbrook on debut. Happily for trainer Mark Minervini, the son of Graff drew barrier 1 that day and has gate 1 of (max) 11 here with Aaron Bullock again. The Kris Lees pairing, CORNERBACK (2) and FORGING AHEAD (3), are both well-bred two-year-olds whose trials indicate that they won't be maidens for long. Bet: Cosmologist to win, box trifecta 1, 2, 3, 8 RACE 2: COURTHOUSE HOTEL COUNTRY BOOSTED SHOWCASE MAIDEN HANDICAP 1250m INJAIR (14) started out in Victoria where he did some good things without winning. He is in fact still a maiden after 16 starts but he hasn't run a bad race in his seven runs for Gunnedah trainer Gavin Groth. Resumes off a trial win here 11 days ago. CURRUMBIN ALLEY (1) is a Vancouver gelding out of a Savabeel mare so there's a bit to look forward to. Kicks off in a winnable race from a good draw and Bullock riding. Bet: Injair each-way, quinella 1, 14 RACE 3: H&M REFRIGERATION BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 2150m HIDEYO (11) gave a very good account of herself at her first run past the mile when she closed off rapidly to be beaten a neck in a 2000m Benchmark 58 at Mudgee on May 11. This is 2150m so in some ways is even more suitable. Same jockey, same (great) barrier too. NATURE BOY (1) has won his 119th and 120th starts - wow. How can you knock a horse on a hat-trick and with Gunnedah form. DESCENDING MIST (2) has finished runner-up in all visits to this venue. Bet: Hideyo each-way RACE 4: DONOGHUE VALUATIONS SHOWCASE SUPER MAIDEN PLATE 1400m TROUNCE (14) has the honour and distinction of being a million dollar baby. He was knocked down for seven figures at Easter, mostly because she is an I Am Invincible half-sister to Oakleigh Plate winner Booker. This is her first run for Kris Lees. Her debut run for Ciaron Maher was passable. Won a trial on May 7. IT'S A WRITTEN (8) is quite a reliable mare; seems like 1400m is suitable to her strengths. Neville Begg-bred RESUME (12) has looked the part in her trials. Bet: Trounce to win, box First 4 Nos. 5, 8, 12, 13, 14 RACE 5: COOL BLUE ICE CLASS 1 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1400m FULL COMMITMENT (14) has a win and five placings from 10 starts. Worth noting that she has a couple of fourths and a fifth there too, just to say that she almost never runs a bad race. Runner-up at her only Gunnedah start and hit the line hard, first-up over 1280m; 1400m today. WILLINGA KARISMA (6) has 'a winning draw' here if she is good enough to take advantage, which she certainly seems to be. OAKFIELD MERCURY (5) won in debut at this track and this trip on May 5. Bet: Full Commitment each-way, box trifecta 5, 6, 12, 14 RACE 6: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUTOSMART DOM LIGHTNING SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1000m ZAKOR (9) has posted four wins and nine placings from 27 starts which is an admirable strike-rate but could have been even better with a bit of luck on his side. He finished off last campaign with a win at Muswellbrook and a second at Wyong. Clayton Gallagher a key and welcome booking. IRON HAT (6) is somewhat similar to Zakor in that luck hasn't always been on his side. He is quite a formidable sprinter when things do go his way. OAKFIELD DUKE (1) has a lot going for him. Bet: Zakor each-way, Daily Double 1st leg 9, 2nd Leg 10 RACE 7: ***BIG DANCE ELIGIBILITY*** ULTRAFLEET & MANNION DRILLING GUNNEDAH SHOWCASE CUP 1600m FIORSUM FRED (8) has finished on the podium at 10 of his 19 starts. An even more impressive example of his talent, versatility and placement is that the son of the Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has won from 1000m to 1600m. Even so, when it is all said and done, he's a miler from nose to tail. These Oakfield horses have been absolutely on fire right across the board for a while now it seems. Enter OAKFIELD PRINCE (4) who won at Newcastle last start with 61.5kg and Aaron Bullock on his back. He doesn't look too badly treated here. Bet: Fiorsum Fred to win, quinella 4,8 RACE 8: PURSEHOUSE RURAL COUNTRY BOOSTED BENCHMARK 58 SHOWCASE HANDICAP 1250m ATENTA (10) is a blue blood of sizeable proportions being the sixth foal of the mighty Streama. This daughter of Lonhro had trialled rather well prior to her debut at Muswellbrook on May 2 which she won handily, beating Naftali. Such a hard thing to win next time out for most horses but may be up to the task aided by the favourable draw. The 'best' NYALI SANDS (1) would just about have all these others covered. Just on the ratings; she is 67 and the next best is 62. Bet: Atenta to win, Nyali Sands to place BEST BETS GUNNEDAH BEST BET Race 4 No.14: Trounce Million dollar yearling who should be able to play a prominent part in the outcome. NEXT BEST Race 1 No.1 : Gemologist Comfortable winner of the Star Kingdom debut. Drawn 1/Bullock again. BEST VALUE Race 5 No. 14: Full Commitment Reliable type who sent out all the right signals first-up that a win was close by. QUADDIE Race 5: 5,6,14 Race 6: 1,6,9 Race 7: 4,8 Race 8: 1,10 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Aaron Bullock will be short-odds to win another TAB Jockeys Challenge.
