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Group 1 classics are in the offing for Ting Tong and Le Villi at different tracks tomorrow.
A crack at the Queensland Derby awaits Ting Tong if he performs strongly at Rosehill Gardens, whilst Le Villi has gone north to line up at Doomben as a lead-up to the Queensland Oaks.
The $1m Queensland Derby (2400m) will be run at Eagle Farm next Saturday, and the three-year-old fillies' equivalent, the $700,000 Oaks (2200m), is scheduled there a week later.
Kris Lees accepted with both Le Villi and Ting Tong (Jason Collett) for the 3YO Benchmark 72 Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill, but will rely on the latter, having opted to start Le Villi (Tim Clark) in the Queensland Oaks final lead-up, the Group 2 The Roses (2000m).
Ting Tong, a consistent son of Epaulette, finished fourth to Hameron in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (2080m) at the Gosford stand-alone meeting on May 7.
"His run was good at Gosford as he was slow to begin and raced keenly in the early stages," Lees said this morning.
"He is back to a Benchmark 72 and importantly also back to his own age.
"The Queensland Derby is still very much under consideration, but he needs to win or at least run very well tomorrow."
Lees took over the training of New Zealand filly Le Villi prior to her Australian debut when seventh to El Patroness in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 9 on a "Heavy 10".
A winner twice in her homeland, she has not raced since the Oaks.
"Le Villi was to have trialled, but they were washed out," Lees said.
"But she is in good order, and ready to run well tomorrow and then go on to the Queensland Oaks a fortnight later."
Lees also accepted with Royal Ballet for The Roses, but has been kept at home and instead will run at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Doomben specialist Snowzone (Clark) chases his sixth victory at the track, in the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1200m).
Snowzone clinched his eighth win last time out at Grafton when he humped 61kg to easily land an Open Handicap (1206m) on April 29.
"Not only does he love Doomben, but also will relish the heavy ground," Lees said.
"No reason why he won't be very competitive again, especially from a favorable draw."
Lees has acceptors – Lunakorn (Brock Ryan), Galaxy Belle (Ryan Maloney), and Wild Sheila (Robbie Dolan) – for the Group 3 Pam O'Neill Stakes (1600m) for mares at set weights and penalties.
However, Lunakorn is not yet a definite starter.
"Galaxy Belle was disappointing at Gosford a fortnight ago, but is much better than that," Lees said.
"Wild Sheila is going to the National broodmare sale at the Gold Coast next week."
Gem Song (Nash Rawiller) is topweight for the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m), but his trainer is keeping a close eye on the weather.
"At this stage, he probably won't run," Lees said.
. Toomai (Andrew Gibbons) is Lees' sole acceptor for his home track meeting at Newcastle tomorrow.
Similarly, he is yet to confirm the mare as a starter in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) against her own sex.
Broadmeadow was downgraded to a "Soft 7" this morning, and the rail is 8m out for the entire circuit.
"If Toomai does run, she is likely to need this outing," Lees said.
