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By Ray Hickson

A couple of chances to put his hat in the ring for the Big Dance later in the year is the short term focus for honest galloper Tavi Time after his resumption at Randwick on Saturday.

The five-year-old, who started favourite in the Big Dance last year before running fourth behind Gringotts, is being pointed by trainer Kris Lees at Cup features, eligible for the $3 million race in November, at Hawkesbury and Scone next month.

Tavi Time hasn’t raced since winning the Summer Cup over 2000m on Boxing Day but with two trials under his belt Lees said he can make his presence felt in the 4 Pines Pace Setters Handicap (1400m).

“I’m pretty happy with how he’s coming up, he’s looked good in his trials,’’ Lees said.

“He rarely lets us down, he always runs well and I think he’s in for a nice preparation.”

When Tavi Time, $6 with TAB on Thursday, kicked off his last campaign he finished sixth in a 1400m event at Rosehill where he settled well back off a wide gate and made good late ground.

Lees said it’s a different set up for the gelding at Randwick with James McDonald taking the ride from a much kinder alley in six.

McDonald has ridden Tavi Time once for a win over a mile second-up in the spring.

Tavi Time runs third in a Newcastle trial on April 2

“He can land in a better position in running, it’s a nice race of course on the back of the carnival with higher rated horses,’’ Lees said.

“So it’s certainly a good test for him but I think he will be most competitive and he can handle a bit of sting out of the ground.

“He’s a very consistent horse with a good win percentage, once you start getting up in grade it’s a little trickier to maintain.”

The Group 3 $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) is run on May 3 while the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) is 13 days later.

The Newcastle trainer has two lightly raced horses engaged at Canterbury on Monday in the shape of three-year-old Flame Of Hestia and Hawker Hall.

Flame Of Hestia has won two of her three starts and comes off a first-up six length win on her home track into the Exceedance @ Vinery Handicap (1100m).

“She was very good first-up, she loves a bit of sting out of the ground,’’ he said.

“It was 900m and a nice race for her so she’s jumping a bit in grade. She’s ready to be given that opportunity.”

Hawker Hall was a beaten favourite at his debut at Hawkesbury back in October and may resume in the Find Your Ozzmosis @ The Chase Handicap (1100m) after three trials.

He is also nominated for a maiden at Newcastle next Wednesday.

“He had excuses first run, he’s had a good spell and looks to have come back in really good order,’’ Lees said.

All the fields, form and replays for All Aged Stakes Day at Randwick