Le Romain ready to trial and scale Everest

Triple Group One winner Le Romain is set for the first of two barrier trials ahead of his comeback to racing and a bid for a spot in The Everest.

The four-year-old is listed in an 845m heat at Wyong on Wednesday with trainer Kris Lees earmarking the Group Two Missile Stakes on August 5 as his likely return.

Lees is hoping Le Roman’s two wins at Randwick will stand him in good stead to secure a berth in the $10 million Everest at the track on October 14.

“I’ll probably trial him twice before he resumes in the Missile,” Lees said.

Le Romain hasn’t raced since finishing second to Tivaci in the Group One All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 15.

“Freshened up for the 1200 metres, I’ve got no doubt he would be very competitive in The Everest,” Lees said.

“He excels at Randwick, and handles both good and wet ground.”

Lees also believes Clearly Innocent, winner of the Group One Kingsford Smith Cup in Brisbane, is worthy of a spot in The Everest while James Bester, racing manager for the owners of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Global Glamour has launched a campaign for her inclusion.

He said the owners, an international group of women, have expressed interest in the Australian Turf Club’s slot for which tenders closed on Friday.

“The dual Group One-winning filly’s connections have expressed interest in the ATC slot and are hopeful that the club – and other slot-holders who may be seeking a horse – will appreciate just what the aptly-named Global Glamour’s participation might bring to the race,” Bester said.

“Only four horses won multiple Group One races at 1600m or less last season – Winx, Black Heart Bart, Le Romain and Global Glamour.

“Of those, only Global Glamour and Le Romain won Group races over the course and distance of The Everest, Global Glamour taking out the Group Two Light Fingers and Le Romain the Group Three Southern Cross.”

The ATC will announce its representative later this month.