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Le Romain has posted his second career Group 1 triumph with a classy performance for success in the 2016 Cantala Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day at Flemington.
Le Romain delivered champion colt Press Statement an upset defeat in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) in autumn, but was yet to return to winning form through four competitive starts this time.
Jumping from the hates well, jockey Hugh Bowman allowed elected to settle Le Romain within the talent-rich field of sixteen as Great Esteem, Thunder Fantasy and Stratum Star ensured plenty of early tempo would be injected into the Cantala Stakes.
Bowman allowed the son of Hard Spun to steadily spool up rounding onto the final straight and after finding a passage between runners, was a passenger has the horse took himself to the lead and comfortably closed out his rivals; hitting the line ahead of McCreery and The United States.
Bowman secured his second Group 1 win of Derby Day on Le Romain in the Cantala Stakes and was pleased to deliver trainer and good friend Kris Lees a win at the highest level.
“He ran a hell of a race in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick when there was a tear-away leader,” Bowman said.
“Thus horse took the field up to them and felt it late.
“We were quietly confident and he drew to get the nice run, and that’s exactly what he got.
“He was dominant today and congratulations to Kris and his team at Newcastle, he’s an excellent trainer. It’s a delight to win on the big stage for him and with him.”
Lees was pleased with Le Romain’s performance for success in the Cantala Stakes but revealed that future plans are yet to be set in stone.
“He’s been underrated in some circles but not by the stable, we’ve always had a really good opinion of him,” Lees said after the race.
“He was really brave in the Epsom taking the field up to the tear-away leader, the four weeks really suited him and he’s had a couple of nice gallops at Sandown.
“We went into the race really confident that he’d run well and he got the right breaks and was able to get there on time.
“I could see Hughie had plenty of horse underneath him, he really dragged him into the race. I knew he had a little bit in the tank and he was realty strong late.
“He’s a gelding and a horse I’d love to get some longevity out of. We’ll see where he ends up.”
In taking out the Cantala Stakes, Le Romain has now posted a commendable four wins and seven minors through only thirteen career starts.
2016 Cantala Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 | LE ROMAIN | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | – | 8 | 55.5kg | $15 |
| 2 | 14 | MCCREERY (GB) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 1L | 3 | 52kg | $21 |
| 3 | 15 | TIVACI | Michael Moroney | Patrick Moloney | 1.1L | 12 | 52kg | $41 |
| 4 | 2 | THE UNITED STATES (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | Steven Arnold | 1.2L | 9 | 57kg | $6EF |
| 5 | 11 | MACKINTOSH (NZ) | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 1.4L | 11 | 53kg | $6EF |
| 6 | 10 | HOPFGARTEN | Robert Heathcote | Craig Williams | 2.65L | 5 | 53.5kg | $19 |
| 7 | 9 | GOOD PROJECT | Chris Waller | Zac Purton | 2.75L | 1 | 54kg | $18 |
| 8 | 16 | SEABURGE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Chad Schofield | 2.85L | 2 | 50kg | $13 |
| 9 | 12 | HUMIDOR (NZ) | Johno Benner | Michael Walker | 4.1L | 14 | 52.5kg | $41 |
| 10 | 4 | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 4.2L | 10 | 55.5kg | $12 |
| 11 | 1 | PALENTINO | Darren Weir | Mark Zahra | 4.3L | 7 | 57kg | $9.50 |
| 12 | 7 | VOODOO LAD | Darren Weir | Blake Shinn | 5.05L | 16 | 55kg | $7.50 |
| 13 | 3 | STRATUM STAR | Darren Weir | Damian Lane | 5.35L | 4 | 56kg | $31 |
| 14 | 8 | BON AURUM | Ciaron Maher | Kerrin McEvoy | 11.35L | 15 | 54kg | $20 |
| 15 | 6 | THUNDER FANTASY | Anthony Cummings | Tye Angland | 12.85L | 6 | 55kg | $16 |
| 16 | 13 | GREAT ESTEEM | Stuart Webb | Chris Parnham | 15.85L | 13 | 52kg | $81 |
