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Trainers Mark Newnham and Kris Lees are chasing important career milestones at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Former jockey Newnham needs only one more victory to reach 100 wins since taking out his training licence three years ago after working as a stable foreman for Gai Waterhouse.
Newcastle’s leading trainer Kris Lees, with 197 winners so far this season, is on the cusp of preparing 200 winners in a season for the first time.
Newnham saddles last start Wyong maiden winner Go Fish Gogo and lightly-raced The Golden Bear at Hawkesbury.
Go Fish Go broke through at his second start over 1350m at Wyong on May 2.
“He had his first start at Hawkesbury when fifth and keeps improving,” Newnham said.
Newnham has decided to put blinkers The Golden Bear, who is raced by former champion jockey and golf fanatic Shane Dye who named him after 18-times major winner Jack Nicklaus.
Newnham has confirmed that his ATC Oaks runner-up Scarlet Dream will bypass the G1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Doomben on June 1 to tackle the colts a week later in the G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.
Lees has three acceptors at the Hawkesbury meeting, giving him the opportunity to reach his first double ton.
His Hawkesbury representatives are Loveisili , Royal Monarch and Only Wanna Sing.