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Trainer Kris Lees says his stable ‘veteran’ Le Romain should not be disregarded as a threat in Saturday’s $3 million Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick.

Le Romain (James McDonald) and three-year-old filly El Dorado Dreaming (Andrew Gibbons) will be the stable’s G1 representatives on the first day of The Championships following the decision to bypass the Australian Derby with Frankely Awesome.

Few Doncaster runners can rival le Romain for his top class record over 1600 metres.

He is a G1 winner over the Doncaster course as a three-year-old in the 2016 Randwick Guineas and also won the G1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington later that year as a 4YO.

He also was runner-up to Winx in the G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick last September.

Le Romain, now a six-year-old and winner ofd more than $4.1 million, has thrilled Lees with his progress since returning from Melbourne after his fourth to star Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey in the inaugural All Star Mile at Flemington on March 16.

He hit the front in the straight and peaked 100m from the finish at his first start for three weeks.

“Le Romain is going great,” Lees said.

“The run in the All Star Mile has really brought the old horse on. His work has been excellent.

“It won’t worry him at all if more rain results in the track becoming heavy.”

Le Romain’s rider James McDonald has had only four Doncaster rides with his best result being a second on Japanese visitor Real Impact in 2015.

Stablemate El Dorado Dreaming, withdrawn from the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday, is seeking to become the first 3YO filly to win the Doncaster since the mighty Sunline in 1999.

Thirty three-year-olds have won the race but the four to win since 2000 - Sacred Falls (2013), Haradasun (2007), Racing To Win (2006) and Assertive Lad (2001) – have all been colts and geldings.

El Dorado Dreaming’s G1 breakthrough came at this meeting 12 months ago when she unfurled a brilliant burst down the outside to snatch the ATC Sires (1400m) at huge odds.

• Lees has finalised rider for his three starters in next week’s $500,000 Provincial Championship Final at Randwick.

Hugh Bowman will partner last Saturday’s Wyong heat winner Turnberry, replacing Sam Clenton.

Lees’ other final runners are Evalina (Brenton Avdulla) and Chalmers (James McDonald).

They ran second and third respectively to Golden Tycoon in the 1200m qualifier transferred from Gosford to Newcastle on March 21.

Lees has won two of the four Provincial Championship Finals run to date with Danish Twist in 2016 and Serene Miss last year.

• Lees is yet to make a decision on Graff’s immediate future.

“He is still at the stable in light work,” Lees said. “It’s either Brisbane for the winter carnival or a break and come back in the spring.”

Last Saturday’s Rosehill winner Invincible Gem and Newcastle Newmarket winner Princess Posh will run in Saturday week’s $1 million Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.