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By Greg Prichard

Lion Class and Bear’s A Star were a part of trainer Glen Milligan’s most successful day this year the last time they raced on May 1 and he’s confident they will again do him proud at the Taree meeting on Monday.

Lion Class won at Taree that day and Bear’s A Star finished a close second in a separate race.

That’s Molly also scored for Glen Milligan [pictured below], giving the Taree trainer a winning double on his home track.

Three weeks later, Lion Class will step up a grade in the Stacks Law Firm Class 2 & Above Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1007m.

Meanwhile, Bear’s a Star will again try to record his first career win in the Banksia Turf Country Boosted Maiden Plate, also over 1007m.

Bear’s A Star is still a two-year-old and this will only be the gelding’s second career start.

Milligan said because there was a dearth of maiden races for two-year-olds at country venues he was forced to take on opponents of all ages if he wanted to run the horse - as he did with Bear’s A Star in its first start.

There are other two and three-year-olds in Monday’s race.

“I had him nominated for a two-year-old race at Wyong last week, but he would’ve been taking on the better-bred horses from some big city stables,” Milligan said.

“So I thought I’d wait for another country-only maiden and then he can go for a spell - win, lose or draw.

“He did well in a similar race last start and he’s a nice horse in the making. Still six months away from really coming into his own, but he’s already built like a three-year-old.

"He’s a big, strong horse and I’m expecting him to run a big race again.”

Lion Class started at the big odds of $41 when he won first-up on May 1 after a spell of almost six months.

“There’s always the possibility they might just need the first-up run, but I certainly thought he was capable of winning that day,” Milligan said.

“I reckon it’s an ideal race for him on Monday. There’s improvement in him from his first-up run. I’ve always had a good opinion of him - he’s a quarter brother to Texas Storm, which has been a fair old bush horse for us.”

Milligan’s apprentice, Zac Wadick, will ride both horses on Monday. He rode the two winners for Milligan at Taree on May 1.

“Zac’s a kid who’s really starting to hit his straps,” Milligan said. “He’s really kicked on in the last couple of months and is getting opportunities now because trainers can see that he’s riding well.”

*Gates open at 11.30am. First race 12.40pm. Admission $10. Full bar, bistro, TAB and bookmaker facilities.

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