TIME FOR ANOTHER SHOT AT THE BIG DANCE

ANOTHER crack at The Big Dance is in the offing for Tavi Time, who is ready to begin a new campaign.

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees earlier this morning had not confirmed the dual acceptor’s return race, but said starting at home in the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) tomorrow might make the difference over going to Sydney for Saturday’s Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

Irrespective, Jay Ford, unbeaten from two rides on Tavi Time, will partner the six-year-old in whichever race he contests.

Ford won the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick last Boxing Day on the versatile gelding, and also the Scone Cup (1600m) in May.

It was Tavi Time’s victory in the latter which made him eligible for a second shot at the $3m Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 4.

Tavi Time ran fourth to Gringotts in last year’s edition.

Whilst Lees is obviously pleased to begin a new campaign with his nine-times winner, he expects he will take improvement from his first run back.

“I did nominate him for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on October 4, but it’s more likely he will go to the $1.5m Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens a week later,” he said.

Ford also rides Imposant in tomorrow’s Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle and, despite her lengthy odds ($51), her trainer says she is capable of an upset.

“Whilst she has drawn wide, she likes to get to the outside,” Lees said.

“Imposant has taken improvement from her first-up sixth to Autumn Glow (in the Group 3 Toy Show Stakes, 1100m at Randwick on August 23), and has had a tick-over trial at Wyong since.

“She ran third in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick in April, and has a good second-up record.”

Lees will start both Like Lukey (Chad Schofield) and Surreal I Am (Tim Clark) in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle tomorrow.

“Blinkers are going on Like Lukey, and Surreal I Am didn’t have much luck last time at home,” he said.

Lees is looking forward to taking Adelaide River back to the races at Randwick on Saturday for the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m).

“He has been looking for 2000m now for six weeks, and I’m expecting him to run well,” he said.

“Adelaide River’s performance in the Kingston Town will give us a good guide as to where we head with him this spring.”

Lees has a number of runners at Saturday’s Gold Coast metropolitan meeting, including three in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m).

El; Jasor (Martin Harley), Bengal Boy (Ryan Maloney) and Fulfilled (Damien Thornton) all will line up.

However, Lees feels Wisnierska (Thornton) is his best chance, in the 3YO Handicap (1400m).

“Wisnierska has a big weight (60kg), but is racing well,” he said.

“She was doing her best work at the end when third over 1200m at Doomben last start.

“The extra 200m looks as though it is going to suit her.”

Inver Park is an acceptor for the Pink Ribbon Cup (1400m), but won’t run.

Story John Curtis, September 18, 2025 - Pics Bradley Photos