Trainer Kris Lees is pleased with the condition of Le Romain ahead of Saturday’s featured Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), but concedes that the multiple winner at the highest level faces a big task in overcoming a classy and open field.
Le Romain is primed for a strong run in Saturday’s Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Le Romain has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far, but the four-year-old has undoubtedly found his best form to date this time; winning each of the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) before finishing second behind Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) last time out.
Lees told RSN that he is thrilled that Le Romain has drawn ideally into the Doncaster Mile field, but believes that there is a case to be made for nearly every runner in the twenty-horse field.
“I think if you’d have asked me before the draw, it would have been a number I’d have picked – eight or nine,” Lees said.
“He’s always been a horse who has just continued to improve throughout his career and I don’t think we’ve ever come away from the races disappointed in his effort.
“I think it’s a really open race. I thought I Am A Star was really quite impressive last Friday night. She’s down in the weights and I think she looks the natural leader.”
Lees is confident that Le Romain handles all varieties of track integrity, but is hopeful of something in the ‘Soft’ range at Randwick on Saturday.
“If he’s been beaten there’s been circumstances, or running into a horse like Winx of course,” Lees said.
“He’s a horse who puts himself into the right part of the race, he’s consistent and handles all types of tracks. He’s just a straight-forward horse.
“Now the weights have gone up a kilo, I’d personally prefer it to be soft than really heavy, because it tends to affect the horses who are more up in the weights.”
Le Romain broke through for a maiden win at the highest level in the 2016 edition of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and capped his impressive year with a comfortable win in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m).
Le Romain will be partnered by Hugh Bowman in the 2017 Doncaster Mile and is currently available at $6 odds to win with leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au.
