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By Ray Hickson

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees believes he has the right horse in Gem Song to break a frustrating run of seconds in his home track feature, The Hunter (1300m), but says luck is going to play a big part in the outcome of Saturday’s $1m sprint.

Trainer Kris Lees

It took Lees more than 15 years of trying to finally win a Newcastle Cup, with Mugatoo in 2020, and it’s safe to say he hopes to lift The Hunter trophy much sooner.

Tactical Advantage ran second in the inaugural edition of 2019, Special Reward was runner-up in 2020 while last year Wandabaa split Lost And Running and subsequent Group 1 winner Top Ranked when she also ran into second place.

“I hope it doesn’t take as long but second every year is better than third,’’ Lees said.

Gem Song, $18 with TAB on Thursday, ran seventh behind Lost And Running a year ago and Lees is confident he’s got the preparation right for the seven-year-old to be peaking on Saturday.

The gelding had a two month break going into his close up seventh behind Rocketing By in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) a month ago and he’s again slightly on the fresh side for The Hunter.

“We purposely gave him a run a month out, we thought it profiled nicely for him,’’ he said.

“His home track record is very good, he has a nice draw and good jockey but it looks a really even race. I think he fits there in the first 10, it’ll be a blanket finish for mine.

“It looks a similar type of race to the Sydney Stakes. He was very good there, Chad (Schofield) was positive about the run and I thought he raced well.

“He reacts well second-up, he only had a freshen up really through the preparation. He’s a horse we always keep in work and he likes that style.”

Lees saddles up one of the more interesting runners at the Hunter meeting in imported galloper Adjourn who makes his local debut in the NZB Jack Newton Legend Mile (1600m).

The four-year-old was $4.00 favourite with TAB on Thursday and while Lees said he’s settled in well at Newcastle and seems to be in good order he suspects he’s favourite due to the booking of James McDonald.

That said, it wouldn’t shock him to see him figure in the finish.

“He had a gallop here on Tuesday and pleased in that piece of work,’’ he said.

“He’s up to about his third or fourth venue in not much more than a month so you’re always a little guarded. All the signs are he’s coping well with it, he’s eating well and looks healthy.

“Take him a little bit on trust but from the short time we’ve had him he’s pleased. There could be a little bit of false favouritism there but you’ve got to respect the Australian Bloodstock imports.”

Stablemate Kedah comes off an eye-catching midfield finish in the $2m Big Dance, where she turned last in the 20 horse field before running half of them down at the post.

Lees said she’s well suited with an inside barrier and hopes she can back up her last start effort.

“She ran the third quickest last 600m of the race, that was a positive sign,’’ he said.

Gem Song's last start in the Sydney Stakes

“She’s drawn a favourable gate to race that bit closer this time.”

Among his three runners in what is basically the Hunter consolation, the Karaka 2023 Handicap (1300m), Lees said Loch Eagle would have his vote but likes consistent mare Never Talk’s inside barrier while Acquitted will be fitter for one run back.

“You’d probably say Loch Eagle might be the pick of them on his day, if he can get clear running he’ll be hitting the line,’’ he said.

“Never Talk loves the wet but her firmer track record is fine, she’s got a gate and I’d just love her to settle midfield and she’s capable of doing that.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Newcastle meeting