Kris Lees has knocked and knocked and knocked on The Hunter's winning door.
Second with Tactical Advantage in the inaugural 2019 edition, same again with Special Reward 12 months later and also runner-up with Wandabaa in 2021.
Now it will be Rustic Steel looking to go one better in the Newcastle trainer's hometown feature, which was recently elevated to group 2 status.
Lees also has eyes on claiming Saturday's opening event, named in honour of his late after Max, for the first time since its inception in 2017.
However, while both races are on the agenda at Newcastle this weekend, Lees had his eyes firmly on the main $1 million prize.
"I think we've had a couple of placings, but definitely haven't won it [Max Lees Classic]," Lees told the Newcastle Herald.
"For sure [that would be special], but with all due respect to my father I'd rather win a million race.
"And my father would be disappointed if I said otherwise."
Rustic Steel was enjoying familiar surroundings with stablehand Jack Pay on Hunter eve, having returned to Newcastle after recently spending time at Lees' Ellalong farm.
The seven-year-old gelding backs up in The Hunter (1300 metres) nine days after a listed Ladies Day Cup win and track record at Hawkesbury, similar to the short turnaround between 2022 victories in The Coast and Scone Cup.
"He's reacted well on that turnaround and think he will again," Lees said.
Rustic Steel, winner of the maiden Big Dance on Melbourne Cup day in 2022, continues a long-standing connection between Lees and Queensland-based owners Ron and Judy Wanless.
Since saluting on debut at Randwick four years ago, Rustic Steel has now earned over $2 million in prizemoney and become the pick of that crop.
"I've trained for Ron for a long period and he's always been a good supporter of the stable," Lees said.
"[Rustic Steel] by far he'd be their most successful horse, no doubt. He's won over two million.
"He [Wanless] may have had better horses, they won a Queensland Derby not for me, but they wouldn't have had two million on the track."
With 10 wins and four placings from 29 career starts, Rustic Steel keeps defying age and doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon.
"Last start broke a track record at Hawkesbury and we've looked after him pretty well," Lees said.
"When it shows he's not up to the level he's been racing we'll find him a nice home, but at this stage he's very sound and enjoying himself."
Danny's St Darci has become the third Hunter scratching, following on from Charm Stone and Scott Aspery's Uzziah, and reducing the final field to 12.
Local jockey Andrew Gibbons rides 151-1 shot Diamond Diesel.
In the earlier Max Lees Classic (900m) it will be Rustemo and Gobi Desert, a half sister to two-time group 1 winner In Her Time, flying the Newcastle flag alongside David Atkins-prepared Buffalo.
All seven runners in the two-year-old sprint are having their first official starts.
Racing syndicators Australian Bloodstock, who this week purchased Melbourne Cup runner Vauban in conjunction with leading trainer Gai Waterhouse, line up Herman Hesse in the listed Beauford (2300m) on Saturday.
UK import Herman Hesse, an eight-year-old gelding priced at $10 on TAB fixed odds, went back-to-back in the listed RM Ansett Classic and group 2 Herbert Power Stakes in Victoria this preparation.
"I can't believe he's not favourite and he should be favourite. I think he runs top two if he brings that form," Hunter-based Australian Bloodstock co-director Luke Murrell said.
"He's in career-best form, absolutely perfect distance range and should get a nice run [from barrier six]."
