Kris Lees’ three year old Group 1 winner Le Romain has drawn the rails in the Group 3 $125,000 Bob Ingham Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Le Romain, above, has drawn the rails in the Show County Quality at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Le Romain will kick off his 2016 Spring Carnival campaign when he lines up for the first time since winning the Group 1 $1m Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Randwick on March 5.
The Hard Spun gelding caused a huge upset when he beat the odds on favourite Press Statement with Christian Reith in the saddle and the Randwick Guineas winning jockey will be in the saddle again on Saturday.
Lees has given Le Roman two barrier trials in preparation for his return to the race track and the new season four year old finished second over 845m at Wyong on July 18 followed by a third over 1000m at Gosford on August 1.
The John O’Shea trained Vashka found some top class form during the Spring last year and will be resuming from a long break when he jumps from barrier five with James McDonald in the saddle.
Vashka scored back to back wins last Spring with victories in the Group 2 $175,000 Leonay Plumbing Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on September 26 and in the Group 3 $150,000 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield three weeks later.
The Exceed And Excel six year old has won first up in the past and will go into the Show County Quality on the back of two barrier trials, a win over 870m at Warwick Farm on July 25 followed by a third over 850m at Randwick on August 9.
O’Shea will also saddle up Generalife, barrier seven, with Brenton Avdulla to wear the Godolphin royal blue colours.
Tycoon Tara scored first up for her new stable when she ploughed through the mud to win the Group 2 $175,000 Mark Moran Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 6 and the Snowden Racing Team of Peter and Paul are hoping the Written Tycoon mare can repeat that effort in the Show County Quality.
Kerrin McEvoy takes over from Blake Shin and Tycoon Tara will jump from gate six in the nine horse field.
Mount Nebo will clash again with Tycoon Tara after finishing third in the Missile Stakes and will jump from the outside gate with Jason Collett retaining the ride.
Show County Quality market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.40 Vashka, Le Romain, $5 Tycoon Tara, $6.50 Mount Nebo, $7 Boss Lane, $9.50 Generalife, $15 Messene, $17 Famous Seamus, Decision Time.
