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Trainer Kris Lees is focused on securing a start in The Everest for his Group One star le Romain, conceding that he is likely to miss the $1 million Epsom Handicap at Randwick on September 29.

Lees remains optimistic that Le Romain will snare the final spot in $13 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.

He has indicated that Le Romain will bypass the Epsom (1600m) and also has named his dual G1 winner Prized Icon as an unlikely starter.

“I’m leaning toward not running Le Romain in the Epsom. He is a proven weight-for-age performer, and it would be a tough assignment in a handicap with 58kg.

“We’re still hoping he can get a start in The Everest. He is a fantastic Randwick horse and deserves a slot.

“I know he would be very competitive.”

Le Romain raced over the Epsom course and distance last Saturday when a gallant second to champion mare Winx in the G1 Colgate Optic White Stakes.

The six-year-old has now raced Winx twice and finished second to her on both occasions, the first being in the G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last year.

Le Romain’s credentials for The Everest are hard to fault.

Not only has he won three G1 races with two of them at Randwick, he has been placed in six other G1 races.

Lees said if Le Romain misses out on The Everest he is likely to start on the same program in the $500,000 Sydney Stakes over 1200m at weight-for-age.

Lees said stablemate Prized Icon is also likely to miss the Epsom following his fifth to New Tipperary in last Friday’s Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.

“I’m considering sending him to straight to Melbourne without another run here,” Lees said.

Lees is set to chase another black type success with last Friday’s G3 Tibbie Stakes winner Princess Posh.

He has entered the mare for Saturday’s $400,000 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill and will back her up if she continues to do well.

Lees won the 2013 Golden Pendant with Sharnee Rose who, like Princess Posh, raced under the Australian Bloodstock banner.