Racing: Kris Lees chasing slice of history in rich new age at home

Prizemoney increases and new rich races have made it an exciting time for participants, especially Lees, who has steadily grown his stables in recent years and claimed 249 winners nationwide last season.

And now Lees' hometown track gets its chance to shine on Saturday with The Hunter standalone meeting.

On the program is the Max Lees Classic, created in honour of Lees' late father, who trained 20 group 1s out of Newcastle.

The 900-metre race for two-year-olds, first held in 2017, has jumped from $50,000 to $75,000 in prizemoney, and now $125,000 for Saturday.

Lees was second last year with Snowzone and this year he has two chances - Redoute's Image ($3.50) and Zeftabrook ($5) - in a six-horse field of unraced prospects.

"We're extremely fortunate to be in racing at the moment," Lees told The Hunter Luncheon on Friday.

"I think we're in a real sweet spot.

"Prizemoney is tremendous. I know my father, he would be loving the prizemoney at the moment.

"He was a big fan of a dollar," he quipped to the amusement of the crowd.

He said filly Redoute's Image, which has former Knight Alex McKinnon among her owners, was his best chance in an open affair.

"I think it's a really even race," Lees said.

"You look at the trial form of all the horses in that race and I think it will be most competitive, despite the small field."

Lees will have 11 runners across the meeting, including four in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m).

"It's been so well received by all," he said of the new meeting.

"And we're very lucky to have a great racecourse that's been provided by Racing NSW, with the help of Newcastle Jockey Club. It's great to be showcasing our track with a $1 million race."

The Lees-trained Graff remained a steady $3.60 favourite for The Hunter on Friday with TAB Fixed Odds. The four-year-old will have Brenton Avdulla aboard from barrier six.

"I have to say Graff because of his softer barrier draw," Lees said of his best chance in the race.

"I think he will get the better run. It profiles as a good race for him.

"I wouldn't say it's a drop in grade but he's been racing at a really high level all year and he certainly gets his chance tomorrow."

Lees has also made a gear change on Graff, which was disappointing last start when 2.7 lengths fourth behind winner Brutal in the group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 5.

Graff has since trialled impressively, winning over 1000m at Newcastle, with a cross-over noseband, which he will wear on Saturday as he chases his first win in 15 months.

"I'm not definitely certain Graff held his breath the last time he raced, but suspect that might have been the case," Lees told his website.

"He was a little distressed afterwards."

Lees also has three-time group 1 winner Le Romain ($10) from barrier 11 of 15 with Hugh Bowman in the saddle. The seven-year-old returned to form with a strong third in the Redzel Stakes (1300m) last start.

Invincible Gem ($16), from 10 with Rachel King to ride, is back from a short let-up. She was an impressive second and third in group 2 and 1 company this season before finishing seventh in the Tramway Stakes.

Tactical Advantage ($9), in gate nine with Nash Rawiller aboard, was given a chance in the race after a listed win at Flemington up the straight 1200m on Melbourne Cup day.

"I said Graff, but you could make a case for all our horses," Lees said of his chances.

"Le Romain is an old warhorse, he just needs a bit of luck from his gate.

"Tactical Advantage, there's a big question mark at the 1300 but he's in career-best form.

"Invincible Gem, she's a little bit of the forgotten horse. She's very good fresh, she chased Alizee first-up early in her preparation and she could easily surprise."

Miss Fabulass, third emergency for The Hunter, was scratched from a benchmark 88 handicap race and was likely to head to Brisbane.

Lees also saddles up Game Of Thorns in the group 3 $160,000 Spring Stakes for three-year-olds. He said the filly was a place chance but favourite Rule The World would be very hard to beat.

He believed Juventus, in race eight, was his best chance on the day.