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By Greg Prichard

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has a terrific strike-rate at the Taree track and he likes the chances of a couple of runners among those he will take there to Sunday’s races.

Velvet Haze will run in the SC Construction & Excavation Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1408m and Dashing Power in the Equimillion Thoroughbred Event Maiden Handicap over 1308m.

Velvet Haze (Winona Costin) in winning form at Kempsey. Image by Trackside Photography

Four-year-old mare Velvet Haze, which has won at two of her eight starts and been placed three times, has had two runs so far this campaign.

She displayed notable improvement off the back of the extra fitness when she fought on well to finish third behind Adelinda and Diva Carolina at her most recent start in a F&M BM58 race over 1300m at Scone on August 21.

She is a winner over 1000m and 1250m and Lees has seen fit to step her up to 1400m for the first time in her career.

“Velvet Haze will appreciate the 1400. It’s going to suit her at this stage of her preparation” he said.

“I was looking for her to improve second-up and she did that. It was a good run at Scone and with a bit more improvement that she’ll gain from that run she should run well at Taree.

“She will get in OK at the weights with Ben Osmond’s claim and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does.”

Three-year-old colt Dashing Power has had two cracks at trying to break his maiden status, for a fifth at Tamworth and a sixth at Muswellbrook.

Lees reckons the horse isn’t far off racking up its first win and that Sunday’s race is a very suitable one for him. He also has the unraced Ride Like A Girl kicking off its career in that race.

“Dashing Power is probably going better than the form guide reads,” he said. “He didn’t have any luck in his last start at Muswellbrook and if he can just get even luck he won’t be far off at Taree.

“Darryl McLellan will ride him for the first time. He’s obviously a very experienced jockey who will give him every hope.

“Both of those horses are in with a chance. The horses we take to Taree are generally in a good position to do something, whether it’s to break through for a win or start going up in the classes.

“It’s a good track to race on and an easy drive for the horses on the truck from Newcastle, so it always makes sense to go there.”

Gates open at midday and the first race is at 1.25pm. Admission $10. Full bar, bistro, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

Visit Facebook page Manning Valley Race Club for more information.

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