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Kris Lees has opted for a gear change on Loch Eagle, who needs to overcome a horror draw at Eagle Farm tomorrow to clinch a Stradbroke Handicap berth.
Blinkers come off the lightly-raced colt, who will jump from the outside stall (18) if the two emergencies do not secure starts in the $250,000 Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) against his own age.
The Fred Best winner automatically gets parachuted into the field for the Group 1 Stradbroke over the same course in a fortnight.
Hugh Bowman, who has been aboard Loch Eagle in both his victories (at Newcastle on March 4 and at Warwick Farm 19 days later), maintains his association with the Lonhro three-year-old.
"Loch Eagle had a tick-over 1000m trial at Gosford on May 18, having not raced since finishing fourth in the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at the stand-alone meeting on April 30," Lees said this morning.
"We'll ride him quietly from the draw, and I'm sure he can be strong late.
"Loch Eagle is in good order, but obviously needs to win tomorrow to get into the Stradbroke."
Lees has a bevy of Eagle Farm runners, and considers Le Villi (Bowman) the pick of his three representatives in the Queensland Oaks lead-up, the Group 2 The Roses (2100m), which was to have been held at last week's abandoned Doomben fixture.
"I had planned to put blinkers on Le Villi on the tighter Doomben track, but happy to leave them on her," Lees said.
"She has trained on well since the ATC Oaks, and is definitely the best of my three."
Lees took over Le Villi's preparation from legendary Kiwi trainer John Wheeler after she had run sixth in the NZ Oaks (2400m) at Trentham on March 19, and now races in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
She beat half the field home when seventh to El Patroness in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 9 on a "Heavy 10" track.
Lees also starts Royal Ballet (Tim Clark), who was withdrawn from Canterbury midweek to run at Eagle Farm, and Velvet Lady (Andrew Mallyon), who will race in a tongue tie.
Consistent three-year-old Ting Tong (Mallyon) represents the stable in the $1m Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m).
Ting Tong ran his usual honest race when runner-up to runaway winner, Melbourne filly Aravene, in a Benchmark 72 Handicap (2000m) against his own age at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.
"He is very genuine, is fit and deserves his chance to run in a Group 1," Lees said.
Velvet Lady also was an acceptor for the Derby, but is an emergency and will line up in The Roses.
Gem Song (Bowman) in the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1300m) is another who has drawn awkwardly.
"He had no luck from a wide barrier when fifth in The Archer at Rockhampton last time, and has done well at the Gold Coast since," Lees said.
"He is back to a handicap from weight-for-age, and I'm sure he will be competitive with even luck in the run."
Lunakorn (Kerrin McEvoy) and Galaxy Belle (Tim Clark) represent the stable in the Group 3 Lord Mayor's Cup (1800m), but take on open company at set weights and penalties, and are outside chances.
Redoute's Image (Brenton Avdulla) is looking to repeat her stunning Scone carnival victory when she tackles the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m).
"She was good at Scone and, whilst this is a tougher assignment, I expect her to be competitive again," Lees said.