Le Romain ready to run hot for Stakes

Redzel Stakes

RAY THOMAS

LE Romain has regained his enthusiasm for racing and is ready to add his considerable presence to the inaugural $1 million Redzel Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Kris Lees has also nominated classy mare Invincible Gem but said her participation in the feature sprint hinges on how she works this morning at Newcastle trackwork.

“I won’t make a call on Invincible Gem until I see how she gallops but Le Romain is definitely going to the Redzel,’’ Lees said.

Le Romain, a triple Group 1 winner of more than $4 million, hasn’t won a race for 18 months and there were worrying signs when he struggled in two starts during August including his failure to beat a runner to the line in the Winx Stakes.

“He was plain first-up and then again in the Winx,’’ Lees said.

“So, we gave him a freshen up, he’s gone back to the trials and seems to be going very well. I’m really happy with him going into Saturday’s race.

“All going well, I’d like him to then go to the ($1 million) The Hunter here at home (Newcastle) next month.’’

The Redzel Stakes is likely to attract a Group 1 standard sprint field with Trekking (third) and Pierata (fifth) backing up from their very good runs in The Everest.

Deprive narrowly edged out Champagne Cuddles in the Sydney Stakes with both backing up in the Redzel Stakes alongside Home Of The Brave and Easy Eddie.

Lees said Gem Song has come through his good fourth to Kolding in the Epsom and will be the stable’s only runner in the $7.5 million Golden Eagle. “Gem Song’s going well so he will run in the Golden Eagle but Graff and El Dorado Dreaming will have barrier trials at Newcastle (tomorrow),’’ Lees said.

Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has declared that Ten Sovereigns will not take his place in the Golden Eagle field but will still be represented by Never No More.