STABLE UPDATE: Kris Lees Barrier Trial Report

Kris Lees won the first three barrier trials staged on the new course proper at Broadmeadow on Wednesday and was lavish in his praise of the track.

Despite overnight rain, a Good 4 rating was posted for the first four heats conducted on the new surface before the remainder of the 14-trial session was held on the Beaumont (inside) track.

“The course proper was outstanding,” Lees said. “The trials on the Beamount track were run on a heavy surface; that’s how much difference there was between the two surfaces.”

Lees won the opening 1200m trial with French import Singing (Andrew Gibbons), and then 900m Open heats with Zestful (Aaron Bullock) and Le Romain (Mathew Scorse).

He ended winning eight of the 14 trials, also scoring on the Beamont track with with Clevedon Bay, The Wasp, Magic Success, Bastia and Serene Miss.

Le Romain’s trial victory over Conchita in 52.94secs has topped off the dual Group 1 winner for a return to racing at Randwick on February 11.

He will run in the G3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m), rather than take on champion mare Winx in the G2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).

Whereas the latter is run under weight-for-age conditions, the former is run under Quality conditions with a maximum topweight of 62kg.

“It’s the right race to kick off his autumn campaign,” Lees said. “I was thrilled with the way he trialled. He is in great order.”

Le Romain, who hasn’t raced since winning the G1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) in late October at the beginning of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington, is being aimed at the $3 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 1.

Zestful will start on the same day as Le Romain in the G3 Triscay Stakes (1200m).

Stablemate Danish Twist, who ran third in Zestful’s trial, is ready to go the races again and will line up in the G2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday week.

Zestful clocked 53.10s in winning her trial, whilst Singing was timed at 1.13.85 in landing the 1200m trial to begin the session.

“I’m really happy with the way Singing is progressing,” Lees said. “He is about three weeks away from resuming.”

Singing, a seven-year-old stallion, was rested after injuring himself when seventh to Sacred Master in the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2200m) on the Beaumont track on September 16.