And a rain-affected surface will determine if Never Talk runs at all in the group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200 metres).

Draws for the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) for two-year-olds and $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) for three-year-olds were completed on Tuesday and Lees benefited from inside gates in both.

The Bopper, a $5.50 chance with TAB, drew gate one in the Inglis Sprint, where he is set to meet multiple group 1 winner Ole Kirk ($2.30) and dominant filly Dame Giselle ($3.60) for the first time.

While only 11 will contest the sprint, a capacity field of 16 will race in the Millennium, where Mystic Gem has gate five. She was a $23 hope after winning her only start, on a soft Doomben surface, to secure a Millennium run.

Lees was pleased with the draws and the prospect of a wet track. The surface was rated a Heavy 8 on Tuesday with cloudy conditions and the chance of more rain predicted.

The Bopper, the winner of three races in five starts, dominated out in front in the Inglis Challenge at Scone last May and again when he relished a soft track at Randwick in the listed Brian Crowley Stakes in October.

Lees said the draws and a wet track probably enhanced the chances of The Bopper and Mystic Gem.

"[The Bopper] won't lead. There's a fair bit of speed there but [the draw] gives him the opportunity to get a pretty soft run, so that all helps," Lees said.

[Ole Kirk and Dame Giselle] are high-class horses but they are first-up on soft ground, so I'm hopeful. They could be a touch vulnerable, but again, they are going to be very hard to beat.

"[The Millennium] is a bloody strong race and a big jump in grade [for Mystic Gem] but it's good prizemoney so she deserves her chance. She's going to get a pretty soft run from that good draw so again that helps."

The rest of Saturday's fields will be finalised Wednesday.

Never Talk, which is owned by Lees and a syndicate of Newcastle Jockey Club staff, has been nominated for the Eskimo Prince. The filly has five wins from seven starts, and is three from three on wet tracks, but she has never tackled black-type company.

"We'll wait and see if she runs," Lees said. "If it's wet, she'll run."

Sam Clipperton is set to again partner Never Talk.

Veteran Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has Harlem Groove, a winner on debut at Scone, in the Millennium. He was $101 from gate three with Jess Taylor aboard.

Meanwhile, Lees-trained All-Star Mile hopeful Mugatoo will trial at Wyong on Thursday after Tuesday's hit-outs were postponed.

Mugatoo could resume in the Apollo Stakes on February 13. The Newcastle Cup winner had about 2000 All Star votes on Tuesday and was 11^th, about 550 votes outside the top 10 field, for a spot in the $5 million race on March 13 at Moonee Valley.

Voting closes February 14.