The Everest a Target for Le Romain

Trainer Kris Lees has confirmed that stable star Le Romain will target a berth in The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 14th, upon resuming in the forthcoming Spring Racing Carnival.

Le Romain will seek a berth in The Everest during the Spring Racing Carnival. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

Le Romain will seek a berth in The Everest during the Spring Racing Carnival. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

A three-time Group 1 winner, Le Romain returned to racing in typically outstanding form in autumn; winning the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) first-up before beating Chautauqua on the line in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 4th.

Second to Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on April 1st, the Hard Spun gelding failed to fire when fifteenth in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), but returned to the paddock after finishing a close second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) on April 15th.

Underlining the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on August 5th as an ideal first point of call, Lees told AAP that he is pleased with Le Romain’s progress and will look to trial the gelding twice before he makes his competitive return.

“I’ll probably trial him twice before he resumes in the Missile,” Lees told AAP.

“Freshened up for the 1200 metres, I’ve got no doubt he would be very competitive in The Everest.

“He excels at Randwick, and handles both good and wet ground.”

Le Romain has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far and will return to competition with an outstanding record of six wins and nine minors, from his eighteen starts to date.

Stamping himself as one to watch as a three-year-old during the 2016 Autumn Carnival, Le Romain finished second in each of the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) before storming home to win the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m).

Resuming in spring for three-consecutive second place finishes in the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m), Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1350m), the gelding out of Mignard ran on well to finish fifth in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and ended his year with an outstanding win in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m).

Chautauqua remains a $4.80 favourite in early The Everest betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au, ahead of Irish star Caravaggio ($5.50).

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.