LEES CHASING DUAL LORD MAYORS CUPS

KRIS Lees has sent Tavi Time north as he chases a Lord Mayors Cup in two States tomorrow.

The totally luckless Scone Cup runner has arrived safely at the Gold Coast, and will take his place in the Group 3 Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm, with Tommy Berry to ride.

The leading Newcastle trainer has withdrawn Tavi Time from the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at a rain-soaked Rosehill Gardens, and will rely on You Wahng (Jay Ford) and Zaphod (Andrew Gibbons) there.

Rosehill was rated a ‘Heavy 10’ this morning for the 10-race program, whereas the weather is on the improve in Brisbane, where Eagle Farm was a ‘Heavy 8’ this morning with hopes that it will be in the soft range tomorrow.

“The better track in Brisbane was the reason I decided to send him north,” Lees said this morning.

“He has done well since the Scone Cup (1600m) a fortnight ago.”

Tavi Time was held up rounding the home turn in the Cup, and then could not obtain clear running for the entire home straight and could not be tested.

He ran sixth after beginning only fairly, and Lees will use a barrier blanket on him tomorrow.

Last year’s Queensland Oaks winner You Wahng and recent Gosford Cup runner-up Zaphod represent the stable in the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Rosehill.

“They both can handle the ground and have chances in an open race,” Lees said.

“You Wahng chased the tearaway leader in the Gosford Cup, then was checked in the straight.

“Zaphod was good at Gosford, and has trained on well.”

Lees also has Little Beginnings (Aaron Bullock) and Damien (Tyler Schiller) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.

“Little Beginnings was okay first-up at Scone, but I’ll check the updated track condition in the morning.

“He doesn’t want a bog track, and is looking for a bit further as well.

“Damien has never raced on a heavy track, and I’m excusing his first-up run at Hawkesbury on a strange track.”

Tavi Time will be Lees’ sole representative at the Group 1 meeting at Eagle Farm.

He also had True To Form (Jason Collett) in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1400m), but decided not to start him from an awkward barrier.

True To Form has been placed at all three Brisbane runs since scoring first-up at Canterbury over 1250m in February.

. Illawarra Turf Club officials are confident tomorrow’s rescheduled meeting on the new Illawarra Grange track will go ahead.

A ‘Heavy 9’ rating was posted this morning for the eight-race program following 30mm of rain in the 24 hours to 7.40am.

This will be the second meeting on the inside track, which was especially designed to handle wet weather, hence the reason for the switch from the course proper.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 29, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS