Image: Bradley Photos
Trainer Kris Lees believes Tavi Time is exactly where he wants him as the gelding builds towards a defense of the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.
December 26 marks the opening of a busy black period between Christmas and New Year in NSW, with the Summer Cup the first of four patron races held during the festive stretch.
The stakes action continues on December 28 in Gosford with the Group 3 Belle Of The Turf (1600m) and the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m), before the Listed Canterbury Classic (1200m) concludes the sanctioned races on New Year’s Day.
Tavi Time heads into the Summer Cup chasing back-to-back victories after turning heads in Group 2 The Ingham in his most recent start. Despite finishing ninth, he was the only runner in the race to break 34 seconds for the final 600 meters.
Lees said the seven-year-old is in better form this year than when he claimed the race 12 months ago.
“Last year he came through several races leading up to the Summer Cup and while he qualified in those lead-up races, I’m not sure he did as well as he did this year,” Lees said.
“If I say that, he should be better because he will gain more weight this year.
“The way he finished at The Ingham suggests he enjoyed the 2000m.”
Read could also be well represented earlier on the card, with stablemate Kind Words – a last-start winner – a potential contender in the Quality Handicap.
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