Nupste's first start for Kris Lees didn't go to script but the trainer is confident the mare is in the right Warwick Farm race to make amends on Saturday.

Nuptse made her first appearance for Lees as favourite at a recent Canterbury night meeting but found trouble in the run when a luckless fourth under apprentice Jenny Duggan.

Lees admitted it was frustrating to watch but hopes for better luck in running in the tab.com.au Handicap (1000m).

"She seemed fit enough to me going into it last start, I thought she had a good chance and she probably raced that way," Lees said.

"I think with a bit of luck in the run she would have at least been fighting out the finish.

"That can happen sometimes in those type of races but she took no harm from the run."

The Newcastle-based trainer has decided on taking Nuptse to Saturday company and said the slight drop in distance from 1100m to 1000m was a slight query for the mare who was trained in Queensland by Brian Wakefield.

"It looks a suitable race for her, it's a little question coming back to 1000 metres but I've kept her pretty fresh," Lees said.

"She's drawn wide but there's only one turn and if she can get a bit of cover I think she'll let down pretty well."

The Canterbury meeting on November 16 proved both frustrating and a relief for Lees as four-year-old Uate broke a long drought from the winner's circle when Duggan steered him to victory a race after Nuptse's luckless defeat.

Uate, a stakes winner and Group One placegetter at two, shoots for back-to-back wins in the Sharp Flying (1200m).

"It was good to get him back in the winner's stall and he's back up to Saturday grade now," Lees said.

"It's a suitable race and he's raced consistently this preparation for mine.

"If he stays on that same path he can be competitive in these type of races over summer."

Lees' Warwick Farm team also includes Soapy Star and Next The Universe.