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Trainer Kris Lees has an early spring target for the former New Zealander Sound Proposition if the classy gelding r wins again at Randwick on Saturday.

Lees hinted he may freshen Sound Proposition for a crack at the $150,000 Cameron Handicap (1500m) on his home track at Newcastle on September 15.

Sound Proposition’s owners adopted a “if you can’t beat them, then join them” policy after the rising six-year-old had finished 10th behind the Lees-trained Sense Of Occasion in the G1 Doomben Cup (2200m) on May 29.

At his first run for Lees, he comfortably accounted for his rivals over 1600m at Randwick on June 24, leaving him with a month between races.

“Our hand was forced because there really wasn’t a suitable race for him in the interim,” Lees said. “He has trained on well, and I don’t think he’ll have any problems with the step up to 1800m.

“He has drawn the outside with the rail 10 metres out but he raced up on the speed when he won at Randwick last month and should be able to get across.

“I’ll probably freshen him after Saturday and we might have a shot at the Cameron Handicap in September.”

A rising six-year-old by Lucia Valentina’s sire Savabeel, Sound Proposition won the G1 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie last year. He also finished third in the G1 Bonecrusher Stakes (2000m) at the same track in March this year.

Apprentice Rachel King retains the ride on Sound Proposition and her city claim of 1.5kg means the gelding rises from 56.5kg to 60kg.

Stablmates Upscale and Time Out Of Mind are Doomben acceptors on Saturday but will join the Lees team at Randwick.

Upscale has finished third and fifth over 1200m at her last two starts at Rosehill and her trainer is giving her a good chance to break back into the winning list.

“She is more effective at 1100m and also I’m sure the gap of three weeks from her last run (on July 1) suits her,” Lees said. “She likes her runs being spaced.”

Time Out Of My Mind finished strongly to win over 1200m on his home track on June 22 before finishing seventh to Petrossian at Warwick Farm on July 8 from the outside barrier in a field of 15.

Quality mare Felines returns to racing in the July Sprint (1100m), and Lees regards her inside barrier as a real advantage.

Felines has been a wonderful performer for the stable, winning nine times and being placed on eight occasions from 30 starts.

Lees readied her for Saturday’s assignment in an 800m trial on the Beaumont track on Tuesday when she wasn’t pushed out and finished fourth.

Olympic Academy and Admiral Jello will also represent the stable at Randwick.