3 minute read
Newcastle-trained stars Le Romain and Invincible Gem are scheduled to run in barrier trials this week as they move closer to the start of their spring campaigns.
Triple G1 winner Le Romain and G2 and G3 winner and G1 placed Invincible Gem will trial at Wyong on Friday after competing in separate 800m trials on their home track at Newcastle last Tuesday.
Trainer Kris Lees is working the pair towards the $200,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on August 10 as their spring starting point.
Invincible Gem beat Le Romain in the 2017 Missile Stakes but both horses were absent from last year's renewal.
Le Romain was given a quiet time in his Newcastle trial, his first a[pearance since the rising seven-year-old since he contested the G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in April.
He finished two and three-quarter lengths behind stablemates Delectation Girl and Sunreel in his trial while Invincible Gem finished sixth in her heat.
Meanwhile Lees is taking his time with his promising New Zealand filly Zaniah.
Zaniah created a big impression easily winning her two starts at Taree and Scone since joining the Lees team but she won't be chasing a hat-trick any time soon.
"She picked up a sinus infection and had to be treated," Lees said.
"She probably won't race again until the spring."
Lees has his Brisbane Cup winner Sixties Groove back in light work after resting for a few weeks in Queensland after his June 8 success at Eagle Farm.
He is back in light work at Lees' Ellalong Farm in the Hunter Valley with the G1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 5 his first major goal in the spring.
Intrinsic, an unlucky fourth in the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on June 10, is set to have one more start before a break.