Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has an important week ahead with stable stalwart County Tyrone lining up for what could possibly be his last start and outstanding filly Samantha Miss trying to continue her domination of the Princess series.Now a 10-year-old, County Tyrone will run in Thursday's Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) while three-year-old Samantha Miss will go into the third leg of the four-races fillies series, the Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, undefeated this season.After Coun

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees has an important week ahead with stable stalwart County Tyrone lining up for what could possibly be his last start and outstanding filly Samantha Miss trying to continue her domination of the Princess series.

Now a 10-year-old, County Tyrone will run in Thursday's Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) while three-year-old Samantha Miss will go into the third leg of the four-races fillies series, the Tea Rose Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday, undefeated this season.

After County Tyrone finished last at his first two starts this campaign, both of which were won by Red Lord, Lees was despondent and talking of retiring the triple Group One winner.

But his seventh in Saturday's Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) won by Hurrah narrowly over Red Lord, was encouraging enough for Lees to leave the door open.

"It was a better effort and he will run in the Newcastle Cup," Lee said,

"It might not be his last start, we'll just have to wait and see.

"He will tell us when he is ready."

Samantha Miss, who denied Sebring the juvenile triple crown when she won the Champagne Stakes in the autumn, is a long way from retirement with Lees more than happy with how she pulled up from her scintillating win in Tuesday's Furious Stakes (1400m).

"She is a very tough filly and came through the race very well," he said.

"Nothing bothers her. To win a Group One mile race as a two-year-old and come back at three as well as she has, shows how good she is.

After missing the start, Samantha Miss seemed to have an impossible task to reel in her rivals but she made it look easy, beating Love And Kisses and Portillo.

Love And Kisses ran third to Samantha Miss in the Silver Shadow Stakes, the first leg of the Princess series but her trainer Chris Waller is now looking to avoid another clash.

"Love And Kisses will be nominated for the Tea Rose but will more than likely be saved for the Stan Fox a week later," Waller said.

"She is just a small filly and may need a bit more time."

One filly who will line up against Samantha Miss is Stripper whose only start this season resulted in the closest of seconds to Duporth in the $1 million Golden Rose on August 30.

Stripper's trainer David Payne has had a week to remember, claiming upset wins in the Chelmsford Stakes with Gallant Tess and the Theo Marks with Hurried Choice.

Stripper was given a solid hitout when second to Miss Pageantry in a 1200m barrier trial at Randwick on Friday and Payne is looking forward to the Tea Rose.

"She will definitely run," he said.

"She is fit and well and the 1500 metres will suit. She's ready."

Angst is the only filly to win the Princess Series, a feat she accomplished in 1993, the first year it was extended from three to four races.