Stablemates Le Romain and Sense Of Occasion have both drawn reasonably well for Saturday’s $3m Doncaster Mile at Royal Randwick.
A capacity field of 20 plus three emergencies was declared earlier (Tuesday) morning for the highlight Group 1 feature on the opening day of The Championships.
Kris Lees drew barrier eight for Le Romain and part-owner David Blunden drew barrier 10 for Sense Of Occasion.
Triple Group 1 winner Le Romain (Hugh Bowman) held his place as $6 favourite for Australia’s richest mile handicap following the barrier draw. Sense Of Occasion (Corey Brown) is a $51 outsider.
Coincidentally, Le Romain started from barrier eight in both of his Group 1 victories at 1600m; the Randwick Guineas 12 months ago and the Cantala Stakes at Flemington last October.
However, he will jump from barrier seven on Saturday if third emergency Top Of My List (barrier four) does not secure a start.
Lees afterwards said Le Romain was “an uncomplicated horse who handles all tracks and puts himself in a position to give him every chance”.
“We planned the Doncaster Mile for him after he won the Cantala Stakes at Flemington last spring, and everything has gone to plan thus far,” he added.
“He had a nice gallop this (Tuesday) morning, and is such a consistent horse that he is sure to run well again.
“The fact the weights have gone up 1kg is a good leveller, but I’m happy with him.”
Le Romain took his earnings past $2m when runner-up to champion mare Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 18.
He had previously won the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) – both at Randwick – at the first two starts of his current campaign.
Sense Of Occasion was also an outsider when he came from last first-up to win the Group 2 Villiers Stakes over the Doncaster course last December, and again is resuming on Saturday.
He hasn’t started since finishing second to Red Excitement in the Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on January 13.
“He has had an unorthodox preparation, but we have tried to mimic what we did with him when he won the Villiers,” Lees said.
“Obviously, this is a much tougher task. He will be out the back, and we’ll see what he can do in the straight.
“Sense Of Occasion has had two barrier trials to get him ready for the Doncaster, and I’m very happy with him.”
– Lees Racing
