Le Romain’s trainer Kris Lees is expecting a first three finish from his triple Group One winner in Saturday’s $1 million George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

Doncaster Mile co-favorite Le Romain winds up his preparation for the $3 million feature at Randwick on April 1 when he takes on superstar mare Winx in the weight-for-age feature.

Winx is a raging favorite for the Ryder as she seeks her 16th successive win but Lees is looking forward to the challenge.

“Naturally, I’m not going into Saturday’s race thinking we can beat Winx, though anything can happen in racing,” he said.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way Le Romain is progressing. It’s been a terrific preparation so far.

“I am expecting him to finish in the first three on Saturday, and the race will top him off for the Doncaster.”

Le Romain is unbeaten in two starts at Randwick this campaign, shouldering 61kg first-up in the G3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) on February 13 and then edging out Chautauqua in a memorable finish to the G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on heavy ground on March 4.

Winx is carrying all before her but boilovers are nothing new to Le Romain. He upset odds-on favorite Press Statement when he won the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) 12 months ago.

Lees has taken advantage of international ace Ryan Moore’s presence at the Golden Slipper meeting by booking him for Zestful in the G3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m).

Moore has ridden for Lees once previously, when he finished ninth on Powerline in the inaugural Provincial Championships Final at Randwick in 2015.

“He is one of the top five riders in the world; it’s great to be able to get him for one of our horses,” Lees said.

Zestful, a winner at five of her 12 starts, overcame difficulties to take the G3 Triscay Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on February 13 and then was a gallant third to Rocket Commander on a very heavy Randwick surface in the G3 Wenona Girl (1200m) on March 4.

Lees will rely on consistent mare Felines (Corey Brown) in The Galaxy as she attempts a maiden Group 1 success.

“Felines ran well first-up, and is back to handicap conditions and drops 5kg,” Lees said.

“With a bit of a luck from an awkward draw, she can be in the finish. I rate her a top four chance.”

Lees will start Raido (Hugh Bowman) and Twist Tops (Schofield) in Saturday’s $150,000 third Provincial Championships Qualifier (1200m).

He also plans to run first emergency The Wasp (Brenton Avdulla) if she secures a start.

Lees has already qualified Princess Posh for the April 8 final at Randwick, and there are further heats at Kembla Grange next Thursday and Broadmeadow on March 29.