Luck for Le Romain
FROM near death last spring to potential Group 1 winner at Doomben today.
That’s the scenario for Newcastle warhorse Le Romain, who heads betting in his bid to claim a fourth Group 1 race in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Doomben.
The $ 2.5 million earner shot to the top of betting charts with his brave third in this month’s Doomben 10,000 and in stark contrast to that race, he’s drawn to enjoy a much softer run today.
Trainer Kris Lees says he’s never had Le Romain in better shape, which is a far cry from the predicament the horse was in last September.
“The only blemish in his career, he pulled up with a lot of mucous in his airway at Flemington in the Makybe Diva,” Lees said.
“Then he came home and we were going to prepare him to run in the Everest if he got a ticket or the consolation, but he got an acute colic attack and had colic surgery within an hour of getting diagnosed.
“It was very lucky it was in the morning at trackwork. If it had been through the night, I doubt he’d be here now. I’ve never seen a horse in so much pain. It was shocking.”
It’s testament to Le Romain’s toughness that he’s come back this autumn and added another two Group 1 placings to his record.
Lees gives the impression he’s expecting him to elevate himself beyond the minor placegetter stalls today.
“I’ve never had him going better. He’s going as good as at any stage of his career. I think he will race really well,” he said. “He hasn’t drawn a gate all prep until ( today).
“He was comfortable where he was ( in the 10,000), but he was working three deep on speed. It’s hard to win any race, let alone a Group 1 race with that type of set up.
“It does look like he gets the right type of run this time.”
Lees, who won last year’s inaugural Kingsford Smith Cup with Clearly Innocent, concedes he has a real soft spot for Le Romain.
“He has been a warrior. He’s one of those good, tough geldings. You can run in any race, he will give you 100 per cent and he’s always a chance.
“He’s won three Group 1s, he’s beaten Chautauqua at Group 1, he beat Press Statement as a three- yearold. He’s a very honest horse.”