The purple patch of form currently enjoyed by the Kris Lees stable can continue this weekend when the Newcastle-based team takes a trio of runners to Rosehill on Saturday.
Lees is on track to celebrate a career best season at the end of 2012/13 having trained 64 winners by the midway point boasting a healthy success rate of above 20%.
“We've had a couple of seasons where we've made the hundreds,” Lees said.
“I suppose it is our best year strike rate wise. I'm not a big fan of that stat to be honest but people do pay attention so you've got to try and look after it.
“I think I've got a lot better quality for the second half of the season but that means they are running in better races so there is no guarantee we are going to churn out as many winners.
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“We've had a good run of maidens and horses going through their grades so it just depends on whether they can take that next step.”
The Newcastle based horseman will take three lightly-raced types to Rosehill this weekend including a pair of runners [Gold Epona & Fine Bubbles] who were each scratched from the Wednesday meeting at Gosford.
“They were scratched because of the heavy track and also because they are coming out of strong enough races last start,” Lees said.
Gold Epona contests the Australian Turf Club Benchmark 75 3YO Handicap (1200m).
The Stratum filly continued her rise through the grades at Wyong last start and Lees believes she can take another step this weekend.
“I thought she was better placed in Saturday's event than Gosford,” Lees said.
“I haven't really gone right through the race but I think she will be competitive wherever we go.”
Gold Epona may be tried over more ground later into her current campaign however for now Lees believes the 1200m journey suits.
“With the wet tracks around I'm not too concerned but she is probably ready for further,” Lees said.
“A big track, 2 ½ weeks between runs, I am happy for her to stay at the 1200m.
“Her damsire suggests she will get to a mile but there is no doubt she will run well over 1400m.”
Stablemate Fine Bubbles made the step up to Saturday city level last start when she ran second behind the highly promising Royal Descent at the same track and trip they race over this weekend.
“Her last start was very pleasing,” Lees said.
“She didn't totally surprise me. She won very well first up, albeit in a Scone maiden but she showed the right signs off the back of that.
“It looks unlikely we can beat her [Royal Descent] but we are still racing for very good prizemoney.”
After being scratched at the barriers two weeks ago when well supported after a last start win, Whitlam steps out to make amends in the Spotless Benchmark 84 Handicap Sprint (1100m).
“He was scratched at the gates two weeks ago but he is fine,” Lees said.
“He does perform fresh so I'm too concerned about the time between runs.”
Whitlam lines up in a capacity field on Saturday including stakes winning gallopers Better Than Ready, Ichihara and Raceway.
“I couldn't be happier with him but it is a much stronger race than the one he was scratched from the other day.
“He'll need to improve again off of what he showed first up.”
Stablemates set to contest stakes level events next month include Australian Bloodstock gallopers Uate and Award Season.
Uate has claimed one win and three minor placings during eight runs so far this campaign with the latest a second in the Listed Canterbury BMW Classic (1100m) behind Skytrain.
“He won't run until the Southern Cross at Warwick Farm,” Lees said.
The Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) is on February 23 with Lees hopeful he can keep the Group 3 winner ticking over into the autumn.
“We'll keep him going into the early autumn but I don't think he really appreciates wet ground,” Lees said.
“We'll keep him going during the start of the autumn and space his runs and that way we will get a longer preparation.
“He has been up a long time but he coping well.
“He goes back to my farm after every run, spends a week in the paddock and on the aquaciser.
“Then he comes back into the stables and has one or two light gallops leading into his runs because he doesn't carry a lot of excess condition but he is looking really well.”
Award Season will be chasing a third straight win when he contests the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on February 13.
“He has really pleased us,” Lees said.
“It is probably a bit of a jump in grade but he is showing all the attributes to suggest he can handle it.
“It will be his sixth run. If he happened to win I would have to weigh up some options. Either way I would probably give him a freshen and then a couple of runs at the back end of the autumn.”
