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By Tony Megahey

It’s a Wellington Cup for the ages on Sunday as a qualifier for the highly anticipated inaugural $2m The Big Dance with the profile stables of Waterhouse & Bott, Lees, Neasham, Baker and the Freedmans converging on the historic Central Western town for a tremendous nine-race TAB meeting.

“Understandable it's a strong race as a qualifier for that level of prizemoney at Randwick, Saturday city form throughout, open as it gets,” offered Kris Lees as his performed outsider Spanish Point ($12 on TAB) adds to the profile on the day, as a former Lloyd Williams and Liam Howley Irish-winning import.

Spanish Point (Jason Collett) in winning touch at Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers

Sunday’s $100,000 Keirle’s Pharmacy 1700m Cup is one of 25 Country Cup qualifiers for The Big Dance where Lees has already made a massive impact qualifying with Scone Cup winner Rustic Steele for The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on November I.

In addition, a Big Dance Wild Card will be staged at headquarters on Oct 8.

While Waterhouse and Bott have three performed city runners, the big watch is the Neasham impressive four-race winning import Sibaaq ($4 favourite), fitter for an unlucky second when resuming on heavy at the Gold Coast and two trials.

Spanish Point will be long odds, but Lees has a knack with outsiders.

“He’s seven but has done a decent job for us, holding his form well enough to deserve an opportunity at this level,” Lees said.

“We bought him when Lloyd Williams moved him on, fitter off recent city races and out to his preferred distance range.”

Spanish Point is an Eagle Farm and Gold Coast winner for Lees and has several Sydney placings. And with Williams and Howley, solid Caulfield and Sandown form at five and six years.

The leading chances for Lees, a prolific provincial and country premiership trainer, are with restricted sprinters Zippy Power and Show Me Your Love in support races, the third and four events respectively.

“Zippy Power is a lightly raced filly with upside, fitter for a solid placing from a spell and trials, she’s in her right race.

“Show Me Your Love was dominant at Mudgee, off two nice trials, obviously up in grade, but progressive enough to take the next step.”

At present Wellington is a Soft 6 in overcast weather with just a shower or two forecast.

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