By Tony Megahey
As the adrenaline subsides from The Hunter raceday, it’s business as usual for Newcastle’s Kris Lees, typically with numerous lower-tiered runners and newcomers at Scone’s Monday TAB meeting.
It’s a booming nine-race card with capacity fields and emergencies and the regional premiership trainer has contenders in most races to be ridden by stable jockeys Aaron Bullock, Andrew Gibbons, his son Dylan, talented West Australian apprentice Madi Derrick and first season rookie Bailey Wheeler.
Lees's Racing Manager Lucas Miller, a keen form student, assessed the stable prospects: “The conditions are a factor, it’s a heavy eight but three days out, on exposed form and triallists, we’ve got nice chances,” Miller offered.
They are represented by Pelgrave and Dawn Burst in the opener, the Next Inglis Digital Sale BM 58, 1300m.
“Dawn Burst is quirky but won her maiden nicely at “Port” - she’s up in grade, but it was a soft seven and she’s progressive, Pelgrave has had the two trials and has heavy form.”
The Waterhouse and Bott influence with speedy Scone maiden winner Wenet, will see that filly start favourite.
Lees has debutantes Celtic Warrior and Show Me Your Love ridden by the Gibbons boys in the third event.
“Well-bred fillies, showing us nicely ability in trials, Kris is happy with their progress, they’ll be better over more ground, but they can be competitive from good draws.”
On a tough, rain-affected day with capacity fields, the stable’s best chance is shaping as Mobstar in a later Stablewizard BM 58, 1300m.
“He’s one where give in the ground will really suit, he was strong winning at Muswellbrook off really good trials on a rain-affected surface.
“We had to go earlier than we planned last start and he died a little on his run. But he’s lightly raced, progressive and drawn for the right run."
At present Scone is a Heavy 8 but in clearing weather, an upgrade is likely.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Scone here