TAVI TIME “SPOT ON” TO DOUBLE UP IN SCONE CUP

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KRIS Lees says he can’t fault Tavi Time ahead of attempting back- to-back Scone Cup wins tomorrow.

The $1m plus earner can become only the second horse this century to win the $200,000 Big Dance eligibility Listed Cup (1600m), after Brave Prince was successful in 2000-01.

Whereas Brave Prince carried 60kg in both wins, Tavi Time scored with 56.5kg last year and now rises to 59kg topweight.

“Racing is a good leveller, but Tavi Time is going well and his profile is similar to last year,” leading Newcastle trainer Lees said this morning.

“He has had the same two-lead-ups in the Benchmark 100 Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick and Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).

“Tavi Time ran fifth at Hawkesbury last year, and though he ran eighth this year, he drew worse and came from well back to be beaten only two lengths.

“Whilst he had 56.5kg last year, he won the race and then won his second Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick in December, so I can’t argue with his 59kg.

“I can’t fault Tavi Time, and the big track at Scone and good surface is definitely in his favour.”

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Whilst the gelding’s jockey Chad Schofield (Jay Ford had the mount last year) is yet to win a Scone Cup, Lees is chasing his third, having also scored with Rustic Steel (Kerrin McEvoy) in 2022.

Lees also accepted with Tavi Time for the Listed Bernborough Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday as insurance, but said he would not have sent him to Brisbane anyway with further rain there and a current ‘Heavy 8’ rating.

Lees has a huge team going to the two-day Scone carnival, with four acceptors in tomorrow’s Super Maiden Handicap (1300m) and six in the 2 & 3YO Maiden Handicap (1100m).

He also has Kind Words and True To Form engaged at Doomben, and Sydney Cup winner Changingoftheguard (Declan Bates) at Flemington in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) on Saturday.

“Changingoftheguard has arrived safely in Melbourne, and settled in well,” Lees said.

“He looks well placed with 58.5kg under the set weights conditions, and the blinkers stay on him.

“Flemington is currently a ‘Good 4’, and hopefully it stays that way.

“All going well, he will come home after Saturday’s race and later head north for the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on June 13.”

Lees is concerned about a heavy track for True To Form (Tim Clark) in the Class 6 Handicap (1350m) at Doomben.

“True To Form is going well, but we’ll wait and see how the track finishes up.

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“Kind Words was scratched from the Gosford Cup (2100m) last week, and the heavy ground won’t worry her.

“She has a nice gate, and is well into her preparation and very fit.”

. Lees’ feature runners at Scone on Saturday are Cantiamo (Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes, 1100m), Brudenell (Listed Ortensia Stakes, 1100m), Imposant (Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic, 1400m), and Infancy (Listed Luskin Star Stakes, 1300m).

Dylan Gibbons rides Cantiamo, Brudenell and Infancy, and Tyler Schiller partners Imposant.

“Cantiamo is going well, and has trained on nicely since her latest win at Randwick on Anzac Day,” Lees said.

“She will appreciate a good temp coming back slightly to 1100m, and has a really good chance.

“Brudenell and Imposant have both drawn poorly, but it might not be the disadvantage it seems being the second day of the carnival.

“Brudenell has taken improvement from his first-up run at Hawkesbury.

“Imposant is very consistent, and has had a good gap between her second to stablemate Lord Of Biscay in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final at Randwick on April 11

“She gets back anyway, and just needs some luck in running to be in the finish again.”

Lees said Infancy had failed to reach her reserve price at last week’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale, and would definitely line up in the Luskin Star.

“Her sectionals when she came from well back to finish second in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 11 were outstanding,” Lees said.

“This isn’t any easier, but she has drawn a good gate in the big field, and should be able to settle a bit closer.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 14, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOSN