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.'
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News.com.au
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Gosford, Ballina previews: Golden Smile seeks redemption
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Imported mare Golden Smile faced a stiff challenge when she stepped up to city company last start but trainer Kris Lees looks to have found an ideal race back in provincial company Golden Smile placed in her first three starts this campaign before breaking through with a big all-the-way win in a Newcastle Maiden on a Heavy 10 over 1890m before stepping up to a Benchmark 64 on the Kensington 11 days later when fifth to Rotagilla over 1800m. 'She was very good in winning but the wet track may have aided her,' said Lees. 'It was a big jump going to town last start and coming back a little in distance could have been detrimental to her. 'Going up to 2100 metres this week looks a nice option for her. 'She is still going to get a winter track this week and she seems to be in good order.' 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Lees' other runner for the meeting is Enchanted World in the opening race, the 2&3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). The daughter of Ardrossan debuted on her home track on May 26 where she settled last and came between runners in the straight to finish a three-and-a-quarter length second behind Pratt. 'She was okay on debut and will appreciate stepping up a little in trip,' said Lees. Lees also has Denuto and Irish Thunder running at Ballina and feels they will be competitive in their respective assignments. 'Denuto hasn't been far away and is close to getting a result. Hopefully he can break through,' he said. 'Irish Thunder ran well first-up. He just got hampered a little. 'He has improved from that and should run well.' ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ The week started well for trainer Scott Henley when stable star Volcanic Love trialled stylishly at Grafton and he hopes it can end on a high note with a winning double. Henley was pleased when the meeting originally set for Lismore was moved to Ballina when his promising filly Confederate Lady races so well. The three-year-old had her first three starts at the track where she recorded an impressive maiden win over 1012m at just her second career start and placed in her other two runs at the venue. 'I'm definitely not disappointed they moved the meeting to Ballina. She loves the joint,' said Henley. Since resuming with a close third in a Class 1 on a Heavy 10 at Ballina on April 8, Confederate Lady has finished third behind the promising Seymour Stars at Port Macquarie and an unlucky fourth to Takemine at Inverell. 'She was just a gallop short going into that run because we'd had plenty of rain up here and couldn't get her tied right down. 'Then she ran into a good horse at Port Macquarie. 'Last start she got back further than we expected and was a bit stiff. The daughter of Supido is out to add to her record when she steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m) where she has drawn barrier 15 although she will come in after scratchings. 'I had her in a couple of Class 1 races that were washed out and the only available race at the next meeting has been a Benchmark 58,' he said. 'Each time in those Class 1s, to my way of thinking, she was a good thing. 'In the (benchmark) 58s, we go from a good thing to just a chance. 'From a wide gate this week, she is just a good chance with luck in running.' Henley has been pleased with the two runs of former Victorian three-year-old Zouandme and gives him a good chance in the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1000m). The gelding raced on a hot speed when seventh at Grafton first-up before being beaten just over a length when sixth at Inverell. 'He has those two runs,' he said. 'He was big in condition first-up and had a good blow after the race. 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