Many of Kris Lees’ “big guns” will trial at Newcastle on Tuesday as the autumn carnival draws near.
However, classy mare In Her Time and brilliant three-year-old Graff won’t be amongst them.
“They will both have jumpouts instead,” Lees said.
“Most likely, Graff will go to Melbourne and trial there before resuming.”
Lees’ triallers on the Beaumont (inside) track include Group 1 winners Le Romain, Sense Of Occasion and El Dorado Dreaming, along with Invincible Gem, Miss Fabulass, Gem Song and Frankely Awesome.
Le Romain, Sense Of Occasion and Frankely Awesome will trial over 1000m, and Invincible Gem, El Dorado Dreaming, Miss Fabulass and Gem Song over 800m.
Triple Group 1 winner Le Romain and Frankely Awesome have already trialled once (at Wyong on January 9) since coming back into work, whilst Invincible Gem, Miss Fabulass, Gem Song, El Dorado Dreaming and Sense Of Occasion will be having their first trials this time in.
Le Romain, his prizemoney earnings approaching $3.9m, hasn’t raced since turning in a typically courageous performance when runner-up to Best Of Days (conceding 5.5kg) in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 3.
Lees will make a final decision after Tuesday’s trial, but he may resume in the $200,000 Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 2.
Lees won Thursday's $150,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford with Australian Bloodstock-raced Tactical Advantage (Brenton Avdulla), and has decided to call it quits with the gelding for now.
“He has done a good job and deserves a break,” Lees said.
“We probably won’t see him again until late autumn.”