Horse of the Week: Le Romain

Published: 07 Mar 2016

Looking back on the Hobartville Stakes, a 1,400 metre Group Two race at Rosehill Gardens, Christian Reith was very easy on runner-up LE ROMAIN over the conculding stages as he chased home the three-year-old star PRESS STATEMENT.

That 'easing up' had no impact on the result, but it made the margin to winner PRESS STATEMENT bigger and played tricks on the eye of video watchers. Many that study the form suggested there were questions over LE ROMAIN's stamina stepping up to the mile.

As a result he started at long odds in the Group One Randwick Guineas and we all know what happened next!

Christian Reith produced a brilliant tactical ride to keep PRESS STATEMENT locked away and the under-rated son of Kentucky Derby place-getter Hard Spun did the rest. A performance worthy of our Horse of the Week.

Breeding

Sired by Hard Spun, from Mignard (Sire of Dam - Strategic)

Type

Three-year-old Bay Gelding born 5th November 2012

Features

Adaptable, Genuine & Reliable

Weaknesses

None noted

Record

3 wins, 3 seconds and 1 third from 7 starts. Total Prize-money of $788,025

Career Wins

05/3/16 – Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas at Randwick (G1) over 1600m – Jockey C Reith
23/01/16 – Schweppes Quality at Randwick over 1000m – Jockey G Schofield
18/9/15 – Harry Meyn Foundation Mdn at Newcastle over 1200m – Jockey J Bowman

Quick Facts

Trained by Kris Lees, this was a big jump to Group One status for LE ROMAIN
His dam was a low level performer for Darley, only managing to win a maiden race
One of his owners is Mark Carusi, who retained the horse to race as he wasn't considered high enough quality for a yearling sale!
Christian Reith continued his come back to win a Group 1
After a first-up 1,000 metre success, most had him pegged as a sprinter, but looking at his conformation and blood-lines you can see he is no short-course squib!