Yes Dream set to serve up another Townsville win

By Glenn Davis

Former restaurateur Michael Lee is hoping star North Queensland sprinter Yes Dream can serve up another win in the Magic Millions Country Cup Qualifier at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Tuesday.

Yes Dream – a Lacey Morrison mount – will be chasing back-to-back wins in the 1200-metre feature following his first-up win in the Townsville Amateur Sprint on November 20.

However, Yes Dream is a homebred and won’t be headed for the $500,000 Magic Millions Country Cup at the Gold Coast next month if successful.

“I bred him and he’s not paid up for the Magic Millions,” Lee said.

“But if he keeps winning up here, he’ll soon be weighted out of racing in North Queensland so he’ll eventually head to Brisbane.

“If he goes, I’m not sure who will train him but there’s plenty of good trainers around down there to choose from.”

Lee, 62, only has three horses in work and are all offspring of Yes Dream’s mother Platinum Ruby.

He moved to Atherton three decades ago and has been training for more than 20 years.

Lee, who trains at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands, gave Yes Dream a short campaign in Brisbane during the winter, winning a Three-Year-Old Handicap at Eagle Farm in mid-July.

“I was offered $300,00 to sell him to Hong Kong after that win but I decided to keep him,” Lee said.

“I like him too much to sell as he’s such a nice horse and is very quiet.”

The Malaysian-born trainer ran a popular Chinese restaurant at Mareeba for many years before deciding to concentrate full time on training.

“I sold the shop about two months ago so I can now say I’m retired and I’m enjoying training a few horses,” he said.

Lee is confident Yes Dream can add to his tally of seven wins at his 12th start.

“His last win was very good but it was first-up and it took a bit out of him,” he said.

“He’s doing well now and is feeling fine and he’s an up-and-coming horse.

“It’s not an easy race to win but I think he’s a very good chance.”