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2016 Cameron Handicap - Topweight Le Romain Definite Starter

3 minute read

Newcastle-trained Le Romain, topweight for Friday’s Cameron Handicap at Broadmeadow, will definitely race at home rather than take on Winx at Randwick on Saturday.

Le Romain
Le Romain Picture: Racing and Sports

Lees confirmed on Thursday morning that Le Romain would contest the Cameron and be withdrawn from the $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Le Romain will line up in the Cameron,” Lees said. “He would be running only for second at Randwick behind Winx.”

The talented gelding was one of eight acceptors in the G1 George Main over the same course over where he won the $1 million Randwick Guineas in March as a three-year-old against his own age.

Lees conceded Le Romain faces a weighty task to win the Camron under 59kg.

“He has gone up three Benchmark rating points (to 108) since resuming in the Show County Quality at Randwick last month, and the Cameron has often been a good race for the lesser-weighted horses,” Lees said.

Only one horse – Court’s In Session (60.5kg) in 2006 – has carried more than 59kg to victory in the Cameron since Denali scored way back in 1950 with 59kg.

Toydini carried 58kg when he won in 2013.

Lees said he respected His Majesty and Chetwood as serious rivals for Le Romain in the Cameron.

“Both are in good form and on the limit (54kg).” Lees said.

Lees won the Cameron in 2009 with Absolutelyfabulous and also had placings with Britt’s Best (2nd in 2003) and Kaunda (3rd in 2011).

Lees said the Cameron result may put an end to Le Romain’s Epsom Handicap chances.

“If he won the Cameron, there’s every likelihood he would get topweight for the Epsom at Randwick on October 1,” he said.

“We’d surely then have to give that serious thought about running him.”


Racing and Sports

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