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By John Schell

The prospect of a wet track at Taree on Sunday holds no fear for leading trainer Kris Lees, with the Newcastle based horseman set to take a strong team to the Wingham Cup meeting.

Lees has two two-year-olds set to contest the opening event of the day, the Sebring Sun At Glenthorne Park 2YO Handicap (1262m).

Lees has first starter Éclair Encore, to be ridden by Andrew Gibbons, in the event, with stablemate Star Venture (Blake Spriggs) also lining up.

Trainer Kris Lees

“From what I’ve seen of them, the first starter [Éclair Encore] probably looks to be the pick of them,” said Lees.

“Her trials have been pretty good and she looks as though she’ll handle a wet track which looks like it will the case on Sunday.”

Lees said he expects Star Venture to show improvement, given she is down in grade on a last start Canterbury effort.

Rum Diary, with Darryl McLellan in the saddle, will be the Lees runner in the Stacks Law Firm Maiden Plate (1262m).

Lees scratched the gelding from Dubbo on Friday, and expects the son of Written By to be hard to hold out having been placed in all five of his starts.

“He’s drawn a good gate and has run well every time he’s stepped out to date,” said Lees.

“This looks to be a nice race for him.”

Lees had a two-pronged attack in the Glass 24/7 Corey Brown Cup Benchmark 82 Handicap (1262m) with Kordia (Benjamin Osmond) and Oakfield Duke (Aaron Bullock) in the field.

“Kordia will run, although I haven’t had him in my stable long,” said Lees.

“Oakfield Duke is also in at Canterbury on Monday and will run there. Kordia is handy at his best and I’m hoping he’ll run well.”

Lees has Like Lukey set to contest the TAB Maiden Handicap (1412m) with Osmond taking the ride, while Mayfair Spirit is in the Glass24/7 Wingham Cup (1614m).

“Like Lukey is a highly strung type that is in a race to suit,” said Lees.

“Mayfair Spirit is also in at Canterbury on Monday and may well go there instead.”

All the fields, form and replays for Sunday's Taree meeting