Lees and Hunter-based syndicators Australian Bloodstock already had Mustajeer set for the Caulfield Cup but were weighing up where to take Big Duke.

The team accepted with Big Duke in the $500,000 St Leger but chose the Caulfield Cup on Wednesday after the eight-year-old drew the extreme outside in gate 14.

The decision to head to Melbourne looked even better when Big Duke drew gate one for the Caulfield Cup on Wednesday evening. Mustajeer gained 16, which will be 12 with emergencies out in the 18-horse field.

Big Duke, fourth in the 2017 Melbourne Cup, was a length away last start when fifth in the group 1 The Metropolitan.

"He's going really well and the fact he's drawn that outside gate in Sydney, it's probably just cemented our decision to go to Melbourne," Lees said.

Lees, meanwhile, believes In Her Time "won't be far away" in the $14 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday after an ideal draw in barrier four and solid final hit-out on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old mare worked on the Newcastle course proper over 800 metres on Tuesday morning, coming home in 35.1 seconds for the last 600m with Andrew Gibbons aboard.

She then draw well that evening for the 12-horse richest race on turf.

Back in Newcastle on Wednesday after a trip to Caulfield, Lees was pleased with the results while he was away.

"She worked over 800 with a pretty slick last 600, with some in hand, I'd like to think," he said.

"There's a bit of improvement in her.

"She worked really well, she's in good order and we're just looking forward to the day now.

"Most importantly from our perspective is that she's drawn well. I think the barriers, with the firm track, will play its part.

"She won't be far away with the good draw."

Lees had hoped to gain a second Everest runner in Graff, which will now be set for the $1 million The Hunter at Newcastle on November 16.

Graff was fifth in the Everest last year as a three-year-old colt but fell short of attracting a slot in 2019 with a third and two fourths in lead-up races.

He was only a length away from winners Redzel and Pierata in the group 3 Concorde Stakes and group 2 The Shorts respectively, but he was almost three lengths off the pace in the group 2 Premiere Stakes two weeks ago.

Lees was now looking to the inaugural The Hunter - a 1300m quality handicap which will headline Newcastle's standalone Saturday meeting.

"You probably won't see him until The Hunter," Lees said of Graff.

"It's going to be a hot race but we'll get him there on the fresh side and see how he reacts to that."

New stable addition Special Reward is also being set for The Hunter.