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Lees to delay the decision on dual acceptor Tawfiq Boy

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Kris Lees has delayed a decision on a weekend Queensland start for dual acceptor Tawfiq Boy.

Trainer: KRIS LEES Picture: Racing and Sports

The six-year-old is in both the Open Handicap (1300m) at the Gold Coast tomorrow and Benchmark 85 Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Larry Cassidy has been booked for Tawfiq Boy  at the Gold Coast, and 2kg claimer Corey Bayliss will have the mount if Doomben becomes Lees' preferred option.

"I will check the scratchings in the morning in regards to the Coast meeting before the 7.30 deadline, and make a decision," Lees said this afternoon.

There are already three withdrawals from the Gold Coast race, reducing the field to eight and two from Doomben, lessening the field to nine.

Tawfiq Boy, who has won eight of his 36 starts, has raced twice since resuming; the latest when 10th (beaten just over four lengths) behind Snitz in a Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 18.

Irrespective of whether Tawfiq Boy goes from his Gold Coast base to race at Doomben, stablemate Meyer will definitely be going with restrictions being lifted, enabling her to be floated on raceday rather than tomorrow.

The Written Tycoon three-year-old tackles the Doomben Guineas (1615m) against her own age, and will be ridden by Larry Cassidy.

"Meyer perhaps might be a bit outgraded at set weights, but she is fit and well and deserves her chance," Lees said.

Meyer, raced by an Australian Bloodstock ladies' syndicate, has raced eight times for three wins and three seconds.

She carried 60kg at her latest outing when a close second to Spirit Of Edyn (with 5kg less) in a Benchmark 62 Handicap (1515m) at Ipswich on April 19.

Chilly Cha Cha (Scott Galloway) runs at the Gold Coast tomorrow in the Benchmark 75 Handicap (1800m) after finishing fourth there over 2200m last Friday.

"She is on the quick back-up and back in distance, but struggling to regain her best form," Lees said.

. Lees has six runners at his home track meeting on Saturday, and Andrew Gibbons will ride three of them.

He partners Perfect Radiance (F&M Maiden Handicap, 1200m), Midland (CG&E Maiden Handicap, 1200m) and Autumn Rain (Benchmark 70 Handicap, 1400m). Sam Clenton rides Big Suzie (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 900m) and Continuation (Benchmark 70 Handicap, 1400m) and Aaron Bullock, back in the saddle at Coffs Harbour tomorrow, is on Bombasay in the same race as Continuation.

Perfect Radiance and Midland are two-year-olds taking on older horses in their respective races.

"Perfect Radiance is a nice Snitzel filly who has trialled well and has a bit of upside, whilst Midland was good on debut at Gosford a fortnight ago when runner-up to Eighth Immortal," Lees said.

"He was chasing the winner all the way and should be more comfortable on the bigger track.

"Autumn Rain probably needs the run, and Big Suzie is a newcomer to the stable from Victoria who goes well fresh, has trialled well and has come up with an inside draw.

"Bombasay is his own worst enemy but not without a chance if he does everything right, and Continuation will take improvement from this race, having his first start since late December."