TAVI TIME READY TO CLINCH AN “IMPOSING” DOUBLE

KRIS Lees says Tavi Time is “going as good as ever” as he chases an “imposing” double at Royal Randwick on Friday.

The New Zealand-bred gelding, to be ridden by Dylan Gibbons, will attempt to become the second horse this century to win successive Group 3 Summer Cups (2000m).

I’m Imposing won the Australian Turf Club’s feature in 2013 with 55kg, and carried 4kg extra the following year to complete the Boxing Day double.

Tavi Time (Jay Ford) with 53kg last year beat 10 rivals, and rises 3kg, also against 10 rivals.

“Tavi Time ran in the Big Dance this year as was the case last year, but this time came through a different program afterwards in the The Gong and The Ingham,” the leading Newcastle trainer said today.

“The heavy track didn’t help him at all in The Gong, and he ran the fastest last 600m in The Ingham.

“I’m sure he is looking for the 2000m now.

“Tavi Time is going as good if not a little better than last year, and should get a nice run from a favorable draw.”

Lees also is likely to take Lucia Valentina’s foal Erin Jo back to Randwick for Friday’s Maiden Handicap (1400m), even though she is also an acceptor for a Super Maiden Plate (1350m) at Newcastle’s Boxing Day meeting on the Beaumont track.

“The Newcastle race isn’t the easiest either, and Erin Jo has drawn poorly at Randwick,” Lees said.

“But she will start from no worse than barrier 14, and I feel that the big track at Randwick will suit her better than the inside track here.

“I was really pleased with her debut third on the Kensington track over 1300m on December 5.

“Erin Jo (by I Am Invincible) has trained on well since, and the extra distance on the bigger track is in her favour.

“At this stage my thinking is that we will go to Randwick.”

Lees also has Agraffe Rocket (3YO Maiden Handicap, 1200m), Power Of The Brave (Benchmark 78 Handicap, 1000m), Miss Busslinger (Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1300m), and Little Beginnings and True To Form (Benchmark 72 Handicap, 1300m) engaged at Randwick on Friday.

“Agraffe Rocket is a nice three-year-old by Graff,” Lees said.

“This is a test on debut, but he has drawn the inside and can run well.

“Power Of The Brave always puts himself into a good spot, and Miss Busslinger is racing well but without much luck.

“Little Beginnings and True To Form also are acceptors for separate races at Randwick on Saturday.”

Lees has withdrawn Zaphod from a Randwick engagement in Saturday’s Benchmark 88 Handicap (2000m).

Instead he is heading north to run in a Class 6 Handicap (1825m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, pointing out he races well in Brisbane.

Lees accepted with last start Rosehill Gardens winner Kind Words in both Saturday’s Benchmark 88 and Sunday’s $300,000 Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Gosford.

“I’ll have a good look at both races before making a decision,” he said.

“I would like to give her the chance to win a stakes race, but she has drawn awkwardly at Gosford.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, DECEMBER 24, 2025 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS