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Kris Lees is giving lightly-raced Miss In Charge a good chance of earning a Magic Millions 2YO Classic start, at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Andrew Mallyon will ride Miss In Charge in the Gold Pearl 2YO (1100m) against her sex, and victory would clinch her a berth in the $2m feature over 1200m at the same track a week later.
The Hinchinbrook filly, a $120,000 purchase by Prime Thoroughbreds at last year's MM yearling sale, made a strong debut in Listed company when fourth to Sweet Dolly in the Calaway Gal (1000m) at Eagle Farm on December 12.
She has since trialled strongly, winning a 1050m heat at the Deagon trial session on December 29.
"Miss In Charge has come on well since her first start, and worked well earlier in the week," Lees said this afternoon.
"I'm expecting her to run well on Saturday, and we will give her the chance for big money next week if she makes the 2YO Classic field."
Lees has made a subtle gear change on stablemate Redoute's Image, whom Melbourne's Craig Williams will ride in the Rising Stars 3 & 4YO (1300m) for fillies and mares at Saturday's Gold Coast meeting.
She will wear ear muffs pre-race, her trainer hoping the move will keep her settled and help her to jump cleanly.
Redoute's Image didn't begin well in the Gosford Guineas (1200m) on December 29 when fifth to Forbidden Love, and Lees wasn't disappointed with her performance in the circumstances.
"If she is more settled on Saturday and begins better, I'm sure she can run well from the inside barrier," he said.
Dual acceptor Animate will contest the Magic Millions Country Cup (1200m), with Nash Rawiller his rider.
Lees has opted to put blinkers back on the four-year-old, who was resuming when fourth to subsequent winner Eleven Eleven in the Wyong Magic Millions 3&4YO (1200m) on December 16.
"Animate is probably looking for further than 1200m now, but he has drawn well enough and hopefully the blinkers will help keep him in touch," Lees said.
Stablemate Hard Lady (Mallyon) also tackles the Country Cup and though drawn awkwardly, Lees considers her a "cheeky chance", saying she will be strong late.
Articus (Mallyon) is an acceptor for the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1400m), but is not a certain starter.
He may be kept for another race at the Gold Coast next Saturday.
. Sky Racing Summer Provincial Series Final winner Itz Lily is heading north next week for the rich Magic Millions meeting, seeking to maintain her unbeaten record this campaign.
She will contest the $250,000 MM Open Handicap (1800m).
The Bopper trialled strongly at Wyong this morning en route to the $1m Inglis Sprint (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 6.
An Inglis Scone yearling purchase, the Nicconi three-year-old has won three of his four starts, the latest being a Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) success over the Inglis Sprint course on October 24.
The Bopper, with Sam Clenton aboard, finished a close second to Rockness Angel in an Open 1000m heat at Wyong.
