Kris Lees hoping Tavi Time can take the first step towards Big Dance redemption with victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has a strong hand to play at Hawkesbury’s stand-alone meeting with strong chances in four of the five feature races led by Tavi Time in the 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.

• 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!

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_Racingpic.twitter.com/eyg6BOMfJE

— 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 💫

Mark Zahra & Kris Lees combine for Listed success at The Valley 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4ZdkAngq4J

— 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.”

Lees has sent lightly-raced filly Gobi Desert to Queensland for the Listed $200,000 Dalrello Stakes (1000m).