A “WINK” AND A NOD! YOU WAHNG IS READY

EXPECT a more settled You Wahng tomorrow as the Queensland Oaks heroine strives to get back into winning form at the Gold Coast.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees opted to remove blinkers and replace them with winkers for the $1m Magic Millions Subzero (2200m).

You Wahng has done well since finishing eighth to Subzero rival Miss Joelene in the $500,000 The Wave (1800m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday, and now has a 3.5kg turnaround in the weights.

“You Wahng was a bit too keen last week, and raced closer than we had expected,” stable spokesman Danny Greer said this morning.

“Kris decided to take the blinkers off and use winkers instead, and believes it will enable her to settle better.

“Getting to 2200m (the distance of last year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm) is definitely in her favour, and she is ready now after three runs this preparation.”

Tommy Berry again rides You Wahng, who was a $9 chance this morning with TAB.com.au in a $5 the field Subzero market.

Lees has two representatives – Damien (Zac Lloyd) and Saxobushi (Andrew Mallyon) – in the $3m MM 3YO Guineas (1400m) as the pair take on hot favorite Ninja.

“I can’t split them; they can both run well,” Greer said.

“Damien is nicely drawn and has been set for the Guineas, and you can’t knock winning form with Saxobushi.

“He keeps taking the next step.”

Lees also has a fourth MM meeting runner in Hawker Hall (Jason Collett) in the Class 6 Plate (1200m).

“Hawker Hall had a big weight (60kg) when a beaten favorite at Royal Randwick a fortnight ago, and didn’t get any peace making the running,” Greer said.

“In the circumstances he wasn’t disgraced in finishing fourth (beaten less than two lengths).

“Jason goes back on Hawker Hall, and has had a good association with the gelding, winning his first two races on him.”

. The wide barrier doesn’t concern the stable in regard to Bestower (Sam Clipperton) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

“Provided she can get some cover and then get mobile at the right time, she is going to be very competitive,” Greer said.

“She has already ticked the 2400m box and any rain will enhance her prospects.”

Power Of The Brave (apprentice Will Stanley) is an acceptor for the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m), but at this stage is not a definite starter.

“As he has drawn awkwardly, we’ll see how many scratchings there are in the morning,” Greer said.

“There are a couple of options with him next week if we decide to wait.”

Golden Smile (apprentice Ben Osmond) is the lone stable representative at Canterbury tonight, in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m).

“She was third emergency but has got a run,” Greer said.

“Golden Smile has been racing well with placings at her last three starts at home.

“This is a step up in grade, and we’ll be positive on her to hopefully get a good spot in running.”

Wyong’s Kristen Buchanan has the only other provincial representative in the Subzero.

Three-year-old Tambeloa (Ben Thompson) takes his place against older horses after being placed against his own age in the Group 3 Grand Prix (1800m) and Eagle Way (2100m), both at Eagle Farm on December 20 and January 3 respectively.

Newcastle trainers Jason Deamer (Just In Time) and Nathan Doyle (Wooloowin) are represented in the $1m MM F&M (1300m).

Tim Clark rides first-up Canterbury winner Just In Time, and Tyler Schiller partners Wooloowin.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JANUARY 16, 2026