Newcastle trainer Kris Lees and major backers Australian Bloodstock will have one more runner but the same stable as their main opposition when they strive to win the Max Lees Classic for the first time on Saturday.
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The 900-metre race for two-year-olds, named in honour of Lees' late father, will be run for the third time, when held as part of the standalone Newcastle program.
The David Atkins-trained Jonker won the $50,000 first edition in 2017, when Lees had Sizzleonthebridge in fifth. Last year the race was boosted to $75,000 and the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Strasbourg was a two-length victor over Lees and Australian Bloodstock's Snowzone. They also had Vinrose in fourth.
This year, the race is worth $125,000 and the local duo have Redoute's Image, Zeftabrook and Meydan Lass in the field. All eight runners will make their race debuts.
Recent trial winner Redoute's Image was the $3.60 favourite with TAB Fixed Odds. Zeftabrook ($6) and Meydan Lass ($9.50) have narrowly run first and second respectively in two trials.
Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell was wary of the Snowden-trained Tilia Rose ($4).
"I think they are all pretty decent," Murrell said of his trio.
"This year is probably a harder race again but all three are there on natural ability rather than being just out-and-out two-year-olds. Kris doesn't rush them.
"I'd rank them Redoute's Image, Zeftabrook and Meydan Lass, but the first two are not really 900m horses, whereas Meydan Lass is probably a 900-1000 horse."
"I think the Snowden horse is the one we probably have to beat."
Tommy Berry will ride Tilia Rose from gate six. Andrew Gibbons will ride Meydan Lass from four, Brenton Avdulla will steer Redoute's Image from eight and Kerrin McEvoy will guide Zeftabrook from barrier one.
