3 minute read

Triple Group One winner Le Romain is a chance to make a rare race appearance on his home track at Newcastle on Friday.

Trainer Kris Lees is tossing up whether to start Le Romain on his home track in Friday’s $160,000 Cameron Handicap (1500m) or take on champion mare Winx in the $500,000 Colgate Optic White George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.

“We’ll see what weight he gets in the Cameron, and then make a decision,” Lees said.

Lees has excused the last start unplaced performance of Le Romain, who was never able to get on the track from a wide draw with the rail 10 metres when seventh as favourite in the Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 1.

“He has taken no harm from the run,” he said. “We have just have to forget he went around.”

Lees will also nominate another multiple G1 winner Prized Icon for the Cameron and the George Main Stakes.

Prized Icon also drew poorly at his in last start in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick and his trainer was pleased with his fifth to Unforgotten.

“He did it at both ends and was beaten just over two lengths,” Lees said. “I thought he ran really well.”

Last start Sunshine Coast winner Tactical Advantage has returned to Newcastle with Lees yet to confirm his next appearance.

Zestful is set to be served at stud after failing in the heavy conditions in Saturday’s G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill.

“This may be her last start for the time being, but there is a chance she will come back into work after being mated with a stallion,” Lees said.