J-MAC AND BLINKERS FOR TAVI TIME AT FLEMINGTON

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JAMES McDonald back in the saddle, and blinkers for the first time.

That’s the story with leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Tavi Time, who will be the sole provincial representative at tomorrow’s Oaks meeting at Flemington on the third day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Lees accepted with the dual Group 3 Royal Randwick Summer Cup winner for yesterday’s 1800m Plate, and bypassed that race for the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes at a slightly shorter 1600m.

It wasn’t a tough decision when Tavi Time drew awkwardly yesterday and came up with the rails barrier tomorrow, along with being able to book McDonald.

“Tavi Time has settled in well in Melbourne,” Lees said this morning.

“He hasn’t raced in blinkers before, but I decided to use them as he is staying at 1600m.

“Tavi Time has now had the two runs back, and has won third up previously, including last year’s Scone Cup.

“And J-Mac knows him well.”

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McDonald, who stole the show with four winners at last Saturday’s Derby meeting, has ridden Tavi Time on three occasions for a win and two seconds.

He partnered the gelding in a Warwick Farm Benchmark 88 Handicap (1600m) victory in October 2024, and subsequently when second in both a Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick in April, and Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm in April and June last year.

Tavi Time followed his first-up sixth in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle on September 19 with a third placing in the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) at Randwick on October 17.

In between he had a tick over 1030m trial at Rosehill Gardens on October 2.

Tavi Time is currently a $6.50 second favorite with TAB.com.au for his Flemington assignment, but will shorten dramatically if pre-post favorite Buccleuch ($2.90), a beaten favorite in the closer at Flemington yesterday, does not back up.

Lees is uncertain whether Tavi Time will remain in Melbourne for another race, or return home for possibly the $1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on November 21.

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Meanwhile, Lees accepted with You Wahng for both the $2m Group 3 Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill, and Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, on Saturday.

Last year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner drew awkwardly in both races, but he has booked Melbourne jockey Luke Nolen for the Flemington feature.

Like Tavi Time, You Wahng was also having her second start this preparation when fourth in the Big Dance Wild Card.

And she will also line up in blinkers, with winkers coming off.

Lees’ talented colt Under Focus is on his way home after his excellent fourth in last Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

The rails barrier proved his undoing as rider Blake Shinn had to go back to the rear to eventually get him wider on the track to make his run.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, NOVEMBER 4, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS