3 minute read

Newcastle-trained gelding Powerline will line up for the third consecutive year on Thursday at Flemington in the annual greys’ race.

The Kris Lees-trained Powerline will run in the Subzero Handicap (1400m) with Damien Oliver riding him undr the topweight of 60kg.

Powerline was ridden by James McDonald when he ran ninth to Pepperano in his first crack at the grey race in 2016.

Hugh Bowman was aboard when he ran third to Tribal Wisdom in last year’s renewal.

“It doesn’t look the strongest greys’ race we’ve seen, and Powerline deserves his chance,” Lees said.

Lees confirmed that his Kennedy Mile runner-up Le Romain, Wakeful Stakes third El Dorado Dreaming and Empire Rose Stakes fifth Invincible Gem won’t race again this spring.

“I was proud of all three,” Lees said.

“We did nominate Le Romain for the International meeting at Sha Tin in Hong Kong next month, but he has had a busy year and deserves a break.”

Lees worked In Her Time at Newcastle on Tuesday as she prepares for a tilt at the G1 VRC Sprint at Flemington on Saturday.

In Her Time has not been seen since finishing seventh in The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 13.