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By John Schell

Top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will be well represented at Coffs Harbour with a number of runners spread over three of the eight races.

Lees will play a strong hand in the second event at Coffs Harbour, the Choose Petticoat For The Kosciuszko Maiden Handicap (1212m), with three chances set to line up.

Pearl Pendant will be ridden by Benjamin Osmond, while stablemates Pietiero (Andrew Gibbons) and Piolla (Liberty Smyth) will also be in action.

“It’s not an easy race, there’s some good opposition up against us,” said Lees.

“But my horses are going well and I’m confident they can figure.

“Pearl Pendant resumed at Coffs Harbour the other day and ran fifth in what was a solid effort and she’s come on from that.

Trainer Kris Lees (Pic: Bradley Photos).

“Pietiero had unplaced runs earlier in the year and has had two trials leading into this resuming run and she’s been close-up in both of them.

“And Piolla has had a number of trials leading into her debut and she gets in with a light weight with Liberty’s [apprentice] claim.”

Gibbons will partner the Lees prepared Pointy End when it has its second race start in the Happy 100th Birthday Coffs Harbour Golf Club Maiden Plate (1010m).

Pointy End ran fourth over 900m at Newcastle on debut and the filly by King’s Legacy has upside, according to Lees.

“She’s a nice filly with a bit of scope,” said the trainer.

“The step up in distance should be in her favour and I’m expecting her to run a nice race.”

Lees rounds out his presence at Coffs Harbour when Oakfield Universe (Osmond) and Stern Dispute (Gibbons) face off against each other in the Get Your Kosciuszko Tickets Now Class 1 Handicap (1212m).

“Oakfield Universe ran really well when beaten less than a length at Scone last time out,” Lees said.

“She ran fifth in that event and hit the line well and a repeat of that would have her right in the finish again.

“Stern Dispute won his maiden at Taree earlier in the year and he’s trialled well twice leading into his return to racing.”

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday's Coffs Harbour meeting