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By Tony Megahey

Top trainer Kris Lees will adopt a "wait and see" strategy for Friday’s Port Macquarie TAB meeting.

With the course rated a Heavy 9 already and continued rain, a rain-affected Port track is a given.

It’s hard to go past the combination of brilliant apprentice Dylan Gibbons - off a Warwick Farm double on Wednesday - combined at “Port” with the clout of his boss Kris Lees.

Dylan and his father Andrew ride numerous Kris Lees runners on the eight-race program and also have prospects for outside stables, after Dylan was at his best at Warwick Farm on Made by Khan for Adam Duggan and Kim Waugh’s Sweet Ruby.

“Dylan’s certainly in the zone but he’s got the work ethic along with the talent, so he deserves the opportunities he’s getting,” offered the multiple-regional premiership trainer.

However, like all entered for “Port”, Lees is awaiting an update on conditions before finalising.

“It’s a wait and see, at this stage our best is Paradise Island, but unlikely we’ll run some of our newcomers on the worst side of heavy.”

Paradise Island, a three-year-old Holler filly, was impressive winning a Beaumont Track maiden by a widening two lengths for Dylan two weeks ago and has 59.5kg in the Corrinne Cunningham and Eliza Priddis F&M, BM 58, 1100m.

“She is one that’ll get through the ground, she was placed on soft her first prep; a filly with upside, although it’s always a test when they're taking the next step after winning a maiden.”

Stablemate, Mauricently showed promise winning a Coffs maiden last prep and while forward off two trials, is unlikely to contest the McGrath Rental Management Class 1 (1506m).

“We haven’t finalised but first-up on a heavy would be a big ask.”

Of Dylan’s outside rides, King Kikau a “swimmer” for Wayne and Joel Wilkes is value in the Owen and Geary BM 58, 2000m.

In November, King Kikau won on a Heavy 10 at Taree and has been placed twice since on wet tracks racing on-pace.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Port Macquarie here