Willows Gift (Sennachie - Run With Faith) has begun his race career well with two wins and two thirds from just four outings, but Lee says he still has a lot to learn, especially exiting the boxes.
“He will be struggling next Thursday, simply because he doesn't get out of the box,” he said.
“There are some very well-educated dogs in the final who can run in the 30.10s. My bloke does work hard around the outside, but he will be back in the field.
"Unless he draws a very good box to level up he won't be in the first four or five at the winning post the first time.
“The 520 metres will be the shortest he will race, but I want him to win as many races as possible at this distance because it is very hard to step them back down when you have stepped them up in distance.
“He has loads of ability. He will be a very handy dog.”
There were four heats of the QGOLD Rookies scheduled for Albion Park’s twilight meeting, however one of those was declared a no race.
The other two were won by Hara’s Cookie (Jemma Daley) in 30.24 and Cyndie Elson’s Obliging Travis (30.15).
Despite being four years and three months of age Mystic Cora is lightly raced with 38 starts.
“She has had some injuries over the time and is missing a toe on her front foot, completely removed up to the second joint,” Lee said.
“But she is still racing well. Her PB for the 520m up until today was 30.14 and she has just run 30.26, which shows she is still running within a couple of lengths of her best.
“As far as the final goes, as I always say to people, dogs don't get into the final by accident,” Lee said.
“She will always put herself in the race, because she has that good first split. However the last 20 metres over the 520 metres finds her out a little bit.