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By Tony Megahey

Multiple Group-winning trainer Kris Lees is at unbackable odds to achieve a career-best training record at Sunday’s Muswellbrook TAB meeting.

Lees typically has five strong contenders throughout the seven-race program on the popular Hunter track, headed by classy sprinter All Summer Long resuming from a spell.

All Summer Long (Jean Van Overmeire) after winning at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

A winning double at Warwick Farm on Wednesday lifted Lees’s tally to 160.5 wins this season after a spectacular 161 successes last season.

“I know we’re fifth for wins overall on the National Premiership, so it’s been really good but we haven’t had the luck in the Group One races - seven placings and some close photos, but that’s racing,” Lees said.

Lees has the well-performed seven-year-old All Summer Long returning to racing in the Shorty Cribb Aberdeen Cup (1280m).

Significantly the powerful finisher has been runner-up three times when resuming.

“He’s come back nicely with a couple of trials since the Sunshine Coast in March; he wants it longer but we’re happy with him,” Lees offers. “I’ve only had him for the one prep but he does represent some quality.”

With city Saturday grade form on his resume, All Summer Long has earned the 61kg to be ridden by stable jockey Andrew Gibbons.

The stable opens with debutante two-year-old Mimic in the opening event to be ridden by Gibbons: “She’s a lovely well-bred filly; she’ll run a big race off the one trial.”

In race four, Lees is represented by promising three-race winner Bochy: “He’s only small, so providing he handles the big weight, he’ll run well back in grade. His record is good, he always puts in.”

Finally, Stellara contests the last event with Gibbons aboard, off a Muswellbrook Maiden win: “She’s trained on nicely and did a good job winning a maiden; she’s drawn to take the next step.”

Presently, Muswellbrook is rated a soft 5 racing surface with fine weather.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here