The chance to run in a $10 million race is something trainer Kris Lees is trying to push to the back of his mind for the immediate future.
The Newcastle-based horseman said there had been a few “sniffs” around regarding Le Romain for the world’s richest sprint race, The Everest, at Randwick on October 14.
More pressing for Lees at the moment is Saturday’s Group One Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Ideally Lees would like to know as soon as practicable whether the five-year-old has a chance of an Everest slot.
But at the same time he’s not going to let it interfere with the program he’s got mapped out in Melbourne.
If the interest doesn’t amount to an offer after Saturday’s race then the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington will be Le Romain’s next spring step.
Le Romain scored at his only previous Melbourne start in the Cantala Stakes over that trip during last year’s carnival.
“There’s a few sniffs around for an Everest slot but I also thought the Makybe Diva in a fortnight suits him as well,” Lees said.
“I can understand everyone keeping their powder dry and waiting.
“It’s October 14 so there’s still a plenty of time to freshen for 1200 metres if he was heading that way and he could still go to the Makybe Diva possibly.
“But if he was to gain a slot in the next week or so I’d probably take him home.”
Lees said he believed Le Romain would be sharp enough to go back to 1200m, especially if there was a wet track.
“He did beat Chautauqua over 1300 metres at weight-for-age on a heavy track,” he said.
Lees said Le Romain was ready for the 1400m on Saturday.
Le Romain finished second to stablemate Invincible Gem in the Missile Stakes at Randwick on August 5 and has since been given an easy time in a barrier trial at Randwick on August 21.
“He’s come on well from a really encouraging first-up run,” Lees said.
“He’s ready for 1400 metres and he’s got a good second-up record.”
