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Kris feels Itz Lily is in the “right race” to return to the winning list a year on at Royal Randwick tomorrow.
Rachel King rides the four-year-old mare in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m) at the same meeting where she was last successful 12 months ago in a Benchmark 74 Handicap (1800m) against her then own age (three-year-olds).
Itz Lily had returned from a brief Queensland visit after finishing a close fourth to Etana (stablemate Aliferous was runner-up) in the Group 2 Doomben Roses (2000m), which followed a comfortable Muswellbrook 1750m victory under 61kg.
Itz Lily's Randwick victory last year was on a "Heavy 8" surface; the same rating which has been posted for tomorrow's fixture (and the rail is out 9m).
"She is a tough little mare, and her two runs this time in have been very good," Lees said this morning.
"It looks the right race for her, and I'm expecting her to be hard to beat."
Itz Lily resumed when sixth to Rocha Clock in a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1350m) against her own sex on the Kensington track on May 2 and then caught the eye when a close third to Spirit Ridge in a Benchmark 74 Handicap (1550m) on the same track 18 days later.
She went back from an awkward draw, was held up on straightening and hit the line strongly when clear in the straight.
Whereas the heavy conditions will suit Itz Lily, Lees is hoping for an improving surface for Tactical Advantage (Hugh Bowman) in the day's feature, the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes (1100m).
Whilst the talented sprinter has won on a heavy surface, 10 of his 11 victories have been on good and soft ground.
"Tactical Advantage has freshened up nicely since the Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on May 9," Lees said.
"He loves the 1100m of tomorrow's race, has a perfect draw and is good order. A drying surface would certainly boost his chances."
Last start Randwick winner High Opinion will tackle tomorrow's Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m) rather than Monday's Benchmark 74 Handicap (2130m) at Warwick Farm.
Lees has booked his apprentice Louise Day to take 3kg off the gelding's back, meaning he will carry 0.5kg less than when successful over 2000m a fortnight ago.
"The step up to 2400m for High Opinion is a bit of a query, but he is going well," he said.
Day also rides stablemate Wandabaa in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m), and Jason Collett partners Hallelujah Boy in the Drinkwise Mile (1600m).
Like High Opinion, Wandabaa also is a recent Randwick winner, but on the inside Kensington track in a Benchmark 70 Handicap (1100m) on May 20.
"She has drawn awkwardly tomorrow, and we will go back on her," Lees said. "I think she will be strong late as she was at her last start.
"Hallelujah Boy loves to get his toes in the ground and is working well, but I would like to see him bring that to raceday.
"He likes the 1600m, but hasn't won in just over a year."
. Lees has two acceptors at his home track meeting at Newcastle tomorrow, but is likely to start only Wild Sheila (Andrew Gibbons) in the Class 1 Handicap (1600m).
He is favouring keeping first starter True Faith, an Exosphere filly who is a half-sister to his triple Group 1 winner Le Romain, for Monday's Warwick Farm meeting against her own age and sex.
Wild Sheila resumed with a Hawkesbury Maiden (1500m) victory on May 21, after six minor placings.
"She was good at Hawkesbury and has done well since," Lees said. "However, she may now be looking for a little longer than 1600m."