The return of likely spring contender Le Romain provides some real star quality to this Saturday’s WFA Missile Stakes (Race 7) over 1200m at Randwick.
Kris Lees’ charge, whose most recent preparation was highlighted by a memorable win over Chautauqua in the Canterbury Stakes, will start from barrier eight in the nine-horse field with Glyn Schofield aboard.
A confident trial on home soil at Newcastle should have rounded him off nicely and the multiple Group 1 winner has been very solid in early betting at around the 2.20 mark.
Second pick Tycoon Tara will be out to play the spoiler role once again having upset Rebel Dane in this race last year in her first run for the Snowden stable since switching from Victoria.
An all-the-way winner of the Tatts Tiara in Brisbane last start, the mare also had the better of Le Romain at their only previous meeting, easing away in the final 100m to win the Show County over this course and distance by a little over a length.
With Kerrin McEvoy to partner her again, she should get a lovely run from the inside gate and deserves to be rated as the biggest danger.
With rain falling in Sydney midweek, the prospect of a soft-to-heavy track rating should also see Jungle Edge take his place here in preference to the rescheduled Bletchingly on Sunday.
Trainer Mick Bell ruffled a few feathers with some comments during the winter carnival in Brisbane and will be hoping his horse can do likewise on the track this weekend.
Despite the more agreeable conditions, he’ll need to improve after being beaten more than 15 lengths in the Stradbroke on a good track and at the prices, we’re happy to oppose.
Lees will also be represented by mare Invincible Gem, who also trialled well on the same day as the favourite and will be ridden by Corey Brown.
There was a lot to like about her win in the Spring Stakes here back in February, her first-up record is sound and we’re also expecting her to run well.
Of the others, Boss Lane is honest and comes off a win in the July Sprint, he enjoys racing here but looks tested in this company while Memes is racing in great form and deserves a chance at this level.
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TIPS:
- Tycoon Tara
- Le Romain
- Jungle Edge
- Invincible Gem
