Newcastle trainer Kris Lees is confident his long-range predictions of winter carnival success for new stable additions Hera and Slow Pace are on track.

Slow Pace will tackle the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday while Hera is among the favourites for the Group Two The Roses over the same trip.

Lees has said for months that punters would see the best of both horses in the winter.

French import Slow Pace has been ticking over nicely since he made his Australian debut with a third in the Newcastle Newmarket in March.

The six-year-old subsequently struggled to handle a very heavy Randwick track in the Doncaster Mile and was an unlucky third to Spillway in the JRA Plate.

"He didn't have much luck (in the JRA Plate) and it was probably the run of the race. It should have topped him off nicely for Saturday," Lees said.

"I think he compares favourably with other good stayers I have had at this stage of their careers."

Lees hopes to have Slow Pace ridden midfield with cover and given the speed appears to be drawn outside him, the race could pan out favourably.

"I think we might have ridden him a bit close last time," Lees said.

Hera, who was bought by Australian Bloodstock after she showed promise in New Zealand, was having her first start for Lees when fourth in the James H B Carr Stakes at Randwick in April.

"We bought Hera as a staying filly with the Queensland Oaks in mind and she has very strong New Zealand form," Lees said.

"She has form around Rising Romance (who has) already won a Group One in Australia."

Hera won twice as a two-year-old and finished second to Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance in a New Zealand stakes race in November.

She then turned the tables on Rising Romance in the Group Two Eight Carat Classic in December and at her last New Zealand start she claimed the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic at Te Rapa on February 8.

The O'Reilly filly has had a barrier trial at Cessnock since her debut for Lees.

Jim Cassidy will ride the Lees-trained pair at Doomben.