Le Romain ‘not out of depth’ in Everest
TRAINER Kris Lees is on the verge of providing a third of the field for the $13 million The Everest next week with impressive sprinter Le Romain in line for a spot in the race.
There was a major shakeup just 10 days out from the world’s richest turf race when Gai Waterhouse pair English and Invincible Star were officially ruled out yesterday.
Le Romain is likely to take the latter’s spot for slot holder GPI Racing, meaning he would join stablemates In Her Time and Graff at Royal Randwick on Saturday week.
“A month ago I didn’t have any so it’s funny how things turn around,” Newcastle trainer Lees said.
Lees said months ago that Le Romain was his Everest horse and that he deserved a start in the October 13 sprint.
“He’s a horse that won’t let you down and he’s very competitive in whatever you run him in because so tough and honest,” Lees said.
“He’s a three-time Group 1 winner and a 1300m Group 1 winner at Randwick (Canterbury Stakes) at weight-forage.
“He’s the type of horse that would make any race under any other circumstances so I think he deserves his spot.”
The six-year-old ran second to Winx in the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) on September 15 and Lees said dropping back to a sprint trip would be ideal.
“The four weeks between runs is a nice option for him. He had an easy time on the water walker for a week and he’s pretty right now,” Lees said. “Just for a brief second he did (make Winx earn it) but his days of being a miler might be gone so I think he’ll sprint really well.”
Lees will also send promising sprinter Tactical Advantage to the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Everest day after he won impressively on the Kensington track on Monday.
The Australian Turf Club is understood to be looking at Godolphin sprinters Kementari or Home Of The Brave and could confirm its runner as early as today.
Invincible Star dropping out of the race was a double blow for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after English was also ruled out of the event after she was found to be mildly lame following a barrier trial on Monday.
Slot holder Damion Flower now has to peruse another sprinter.
Invincible Star will head to the Sydney Stakes.
Santa Ana Lane, Trapeze Artist and Vega Magic are equal $7 favourites for The Everest.