The Kris Lees-trained Samantha Miss thwarted Sebring's triple crown bid and the trainer hopes Uate can do likewise to the Darley operation in Saturday's Champagne Stakes.Lees prepared Samantha Miss to win the 2008 Champagne, defeating the Gai Waterhouse-trained Sebring who had already claimed the Golden Slipper and Sires' Produce Stakes.This Saturday Lees will start Sires' Produce runner-up Uate in the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick where racing and breeding operation Darley will

The Kris Lees-trained Samantha Miss thwarted Sebring's triple crown bid and the trainer hopes Uate can do likewise to the Darley operation in Saturday's Champagne Stakes.

Lees prepared Samantha Miss to win the 2008 Champagne, defeating the Gai Waterhouse-trained Sebring who had already claimed the Golden Slipper and Sires' Produce Stakes.

This Saturday Lees will start Sires' Produce runner-up Uate in the Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick where racing and breeding operation Darley will be chasing a stable triple crown.

Star colt Sepoy raced away with the Golden Slipper while his stablemate Helmet claimed the second leg of the Sydney two-year-old features with a half-length win over Uate in the Sires (1400m).

Helmet and Disputes are Darley's nominations for Saturday's Champagne.

Uate has continued to rise to every challenge and Lees could see no reason not to give him a chance at turning the tables on Helmet.

"He definitely hasn't shown any signs of going backwards," Lees said.

"I think each run he has had has been better than the previous one and if he continues on that way then he's going to have a good chance on Saturday.

"I'm also mindful that he's been up a while, so it's a test for all these types of horses that have had long preparations."

Uate made a winning debut in a Newcastle maiden on February 5.

A midweek win on the Kensington track followed and then the colt made the leap to stakes company with a narrow victory in the Group Three Skyline Stakes (1200m) on March 12.

Uate wasn't nominated for the Golden Slipper and connections decided against paying the $150,000 late entry fee, with Lees instead giving the colt four weeks between the Skyline and his second in the Sires.

The trainer believes that freshen-up could prove crucial on Saturday.

"He has come through the Sires in good order," Lees said.

"It's a $400,000 Group One race and I think the month off leading into the Sires is going to benefit getting these two runs out of him.

"I'd be surprised if he's gone backwards."

Uate is named after the Newcastle Knights' star winger Akuila Uate.

While the promising colt has received some publicity in the Hunter, Lees said he had still "snuck under the radar" a little bit.

"There's been other things that have captured the attention of Newcastle in the past few weeks," the trainer said, referring to Nathan Tinkler taking over the ownership of the Knights and supercoach Wayne Bennett being appointed from next season.

"Racing has been a bit on the backburner, but hopefully there might be a bit more (publicity) on Sunday."