NEWCASTLE trainer Kris Lees will take a five-prong attack into the Provincial-Midway Championships final at Randwick on Saturday, aiming for a fourth straight title and sixth overall.
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Lees has topweight Tavi Time leading his charge in the $1 million feature over 1400 metres while Baltic Coast, Convincebility, Willinga Freefall and Willinga Beast were also named in Wednesday's fields.
The four-year-old gelding, which hails from New Zealand, teams up with apprentice jockey Dylan Gibbons and has drawn wide in barrier 16.
Gibbons had been on board Willinga Beast in last weekend's group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m).
Paul Perry's Nosey Parker makes it six Newcastle runners in this year's decider.
Lees completed a three-peat 12 months ago when Spangler followed in the footsteps of Kinloch (2022) and Cristal Breeze (2021). Serene Miss (2018) and Danish Twist (2016) have previously tasted success.
Also on day two of The Championships at Randwick, Lees and Gibbons combine with Kalapour in the group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) and Miss Busslinger in the listed opener (1600m).
Scone trainer Cameron Crockett has Dances With Hooves in the group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m).
Gibbons' other rides are Semana in the group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m), Empress Of Japan in the group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) and Nathan Doyle-prepared Midnight Opal in the listed South Pacific Classic (1400m).
Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
