3 minute read
Kris Lees does not expect his stable stars Le Romain and Invincible Gem to repeat their 2017 performances in today's G2 Missile Stakes at Rosehill.
In a revealing assessment of his pair Lees said he would be surprised to see Invincible Gem beat Le Romain as she did in 2017 when the wfa sprint was run at Randwick.
"Le Romain would have to be the pick of my pair off their recent trials but I'm not expecting either of them to beat Alizee," Lees said.
"Vegadaze is also a big threat. I feel he is pretty smart."
James McDonald will ride triple G1 winner Le Romain, and Brenton Avdulla partners G1 placegetter Invincible Gem.
"They are definitely going to take improvement. It's a good starting point for their spring campaigns," Lees said.
Lees has decided to remove blinkers from Le Romain, but says it is not a major issue.
"He had them on only once at the end of last campaign, and it didn't make a difference," he explained.
Le Romain, now a seven-year-old, has been a magnificent performer for the stable, winning seven races and notching 16 minor placings for prizemoney exceeding $4.1 million.
Invincible Gem has also been an excellent representative, winning at G2 and G3 level as well as her G1 second in the 2017 Randwick Guineas as a three-year-old.
She has raced 25 times for six wins and seven placings.
Lees has withdrawn dual acceptor Stella Sea Sun from the Benchmark 88 Handicap (1200m) against her own sex, preferring the Benchmark 78 over the same distance for three-year-olds and upwards.
Lees has also decided on gear changes for both Loveisili (2000m Benchmark 78 Handicap) and Articus (1400m Benchmark 88 Handicap).
Loveisili will race in a tongue tie, and blinkers are going back on Articus. Kerrin McEvoy rides both Australian Bloodstock horses.
"Loveisili seemed to be playing around with his tongue last time when he was beaten at Randwick," Lees said.
"He had strung three wins together before that, and is definitely worth forgiving the Randwick defeat."
At Newcastle last start winner Albert's No Pussy is staying at home for the opening Broadmeadow meeting of the new season.
A wide draw at Doomben, where the rail is 5m out, influenced Lees to bypass sending him north for today's meeting.
"Albert's No Pussy was good last start in scoring at Scone over 1100m with a big weight," Lees said.
"That was his third run this time in and he has taken further improvement from it."
Lees also starts beaten first-up Wyong favorite Great Danger (Andrew Gibbons) in the same race.
Great Danger, who races in the Le Romain colours, has raced only six times and figured in the placings all but once.
He will start all three acceptors – Vive Marie (apprentice Louise Day), Black And Tan (Bullock) and Sunreel (Gibbons) – in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) for fillies and mares.
"Vive Marie and Black And Tan are dropping back from midweek city races," Lees said. "Vive Marie has been freshened since she last raced in early July, and Black And Tan has been racing well in town and looks a top chance with even luck in running.
"Sunreel didn't reproduce her earlier form at two starts last time in work and has to be taken on trust first-up."
