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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Kris Lees has had the luxury of planning Tavi Time’s path to next month’s Big Dance and he’s hoping the talented galloper shows he’s on target at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Tavi Time earned his eligibility for the $3 million feature back in December with his runaway Mudgee Cup win and Lees was pleased with his return effort at Rosehill a couple of weeks ago.

The gelding clocked easily the fastest last 600m when running 33.51 (Punter’s Intelligence) as he charged from the back to run sixth over 1400m behind Willaidow at Rosehill.

Kris Lees with The Big Dance trophy (Pic: Steve Hart)

Lees won the inaugural edition of the Big Dance with Rustic Steel in 2022.

“It’s his lead in to the Big Dance, he seems to be coming up well,’’ Lees said.

“I was happy with his first-up run, he made nice closing ground and he’s probably better suited here.

“He’s looking for the mile now then it gives him just under three weeks to the Big Dance. This year is looking probably the strongest edition so he’ll have to be on his game.”

James McDonald rides Tavi Time, $2.30 with TAB on Tuesday, in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) and Lees said with barrier one he gets his chance to show that he is ready for his spring goal.

Tavi Time, a winner of six from 13 starts, is an $11 chance in the Big Dance.

“It sets up nicely for him for this run and it will top him off,’’ he said.

“He’s reacted well second-up at a mile previously so you’d expect him to run well.”

Stablemate Kind Words found the trip a bit too short for her when she resumed in the same race as Tavi Time and Lees feels while she will be more effective at Warwick Farm he’ll expect more from her third-up.

“She’s probably looking for further again, she ran well in the Oaks in Queensland,’’ he said.

“In her first-up run she never really got into the race at 1400m and maybe will find them too sharp again at the mile.

“She’ll be better third run in when she gets to 2000m.”

Three-year-old Justice Please didn’t have the greatest of luck in her first-up fourth at Newcastle and she steps up in distance in the James Squire Handicap (1400m).

While Lees is wary she’s coming out of a provincial maiden to the city he’d be confident a win isn’t too far away.

“She was a bit luckless, she got cut out with about 150m to go,’’ he said.

“Thought she would have gone close to winning, she goes to a city maiden and gives the impression she will appreciate the trip.”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting