By Ray Hickson
It’s been a long-term plan by trainer Kris Lees to have promising galloper Tavi Time hitting his top for today’s $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
The five-year-old has been aimed at the Big Dance since his six-length win in the Mudgee Cup last December and Lees said he was now starting to realise his potential.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is confident of Tavi Time’s chances in the Big Dance.Credit: Getty
While his Provincial-Midway Championships campaign didn’t go to plan, it’s a different story with how Lees has tackled the build-up to the Big Dance.
“He’s always shown a bit and it’s not surprising he’s racing now at a good level,” Lees said.
“I liked the way he put them away at Mudgee, he was quite impressive that day and that was off a Saturday win at Newcastle, so it’s not a big surprise he’s a live chance in the race.”
Tavi Time showed he was on target with an easy second-up win at Warwick Farm on October 16, where he carried 60 kilograms and held more than a length on the line.
Lees said the gelding had come on since that win and with a favourable gate is confident he will get his chance to hit the target.
“I thought it was a perfect lead-in, he’s come out of it well and I’m looking forward to testing him out in better company,” he said.
“It’s a lovely draw for him, I think he will be able to take up a position. He’s adaptable, but from a middle type of draw he can take a spot and race well.”
The Newcastle trainer won the inaugural Big Dance with Rustic Steel who, while also a five-year-old at the time, was a lot more exposed than Tavi Time, having won the Coast and the Scone Cup on his way.
Lees said if Tavi Time, a winner of seven of his 14 starts, performs well on Tuesday he’ll continue his campaign towards more rich miles this spring.
“In a perfect world he’d go to the Ingham, or maybe the Gong,” he said.
Tavi Time wins at Newcastle in November, 2023.Credit: Getty Images
Last year’s Ingham winner Loch Eagle heads a Lees trio in the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) with Gunnedah Cup winner Mayfair Spirit and Rogue Bear, who qualified through a second in last year’s Taree Cup.
Loch Eagle hasn’t been in the sparkling form this campaign that he was a year ago, but Lees said if he gets the right run under the big weight he can make his presence felt.
“His Epsom run was disappointing, but the run before in the Cameron you could make a case he should have won it,” he said.
“He’s mixing his form now he’s got a bit older but with the right set up he can be effective.
“He’s got to carry the 62kg so it’s an ask, but he is an Ingham winner and his Randwick form is pretty good.”
Mayfair Spirit is an emergency for the Big Dance and Lees said he’s probably better placed in the Little Dance if he can find his best form.
The gelding has failed to beat one home in his two runs this spring so does need to bounce back.
“He won a Gunnedah Cup, [but] to be fair his form is a little questionable at this level,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to race for big money and he has a nice draw to put himself in the race.”
Rogue Bear hasn’t raced for two months and Lees said keeping him fresh gave him the best chance to be competitive.
“We’ve tried to keep him fresh to react well, he’s more a 2000m horse,” he said. “With blinkers back on he could easily dash well.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
