Romain positive ... that’s Lees’ mantra
AS soon as Le Romain finished the T.J. Smith Stakes a fortnight ago trainer Kris Lees knew he was back on track for Saturday’s $600,000 Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Le Romain, who was second in the race last year, finished seventh of 11 to In Her Time when first-up in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) and even though it was well short of his best trip, Lees wanted to see more from him.
It came a fortnight ago when second-up in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) when back at his favourite track at day one of The Championships at Randwick.
He was finishing hard behind Trapeze Artist, Redzel and In Her Time and Lees was given the thumbs up by jockey Glyn Schofield.
“It was good to see him turn it around,’’ Lees said. ‘‘He was OK without being over-impressive in The Galaxy which was way too short for him. “I was really pleased with his T.J. Smith run and this was the race we targeted with him. He’s got a terrific Randwick record and he’ll love the trip.”
Lees will also saddle up another Group 1 winner, Clearly Innocent.
He’s finished sixth three times this preparation but has been in a few races where the pace hasn’t suited him and has run behind Happy Clapper and the champion Winx in the Canterbury Stakes and George Ryder Stakes.
“He wasn’t that impressive in the George Ryder but that can happen when Winx is in the field,” Lees said.
“He’ll get a bigger field with a more solid tempo which will suit him. He just needs a bit of cut in the ground.
“You could make a few excuses for him this preparation and he raced against Winx and Happy Clapper who are the two benchmark horses in the country at the moment.”
Lees said Le Romain was his top pick but said Clearly Innocent was “more than capable” of causing an upset against the race favourite Trapeze Artist. He’s coming off a scintillating T.J. Smith Stakes win.”
HE WASN’T THAT IMPRESSIVE IN THE GEORGE RYDER BUT THAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN WINX IS IN THE FIELD TRAINER KRIS LEES