Trainer Kris Lees says race fitness could be the decisive factor in Saturday's Group II Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Lees saddles up short-priced favourite Le Romain and another single-figure chance, Invincible Gem, in the weight-for-age contest but is taking nothing for granted.
As is usually the case, this year's Missile Stakes features an intriguing mix of resuming carnival gallopers and in-form off-season horses.
Le Romain, a three-time Group I winner, is yet to miss a place in four previous first-up runs but will likely have to call upon his class again to defeat a field dominated by hard-fit speedsters.
"I think he's similar to last prep when he went into the race with room for plenty of improvement but his class got him there," Lees said.
"He's had two trials so I won't be using it as an excuse but I'm always wary of race fit horses in these situations.
"It looks like there's plenty of pressure. He's naturally on-pace but at 1200m, he's adaptable and will probably land somewhere midfield."
Lees said Le Romain's immediate target of the preparation will be the Group I Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 2.
Invincible Gem, runner up in the Group I Randwick Guineas (1600m) last season, is also first-up from a break but faces the added challenge of weight-for-age conditions for the first time.
"She's not well placed at weight-for-age coming out of her three-year-old season but I think she'll run well with the view that it will set her up nicely for some mares' races coming up.
"The Golden Pendant looks a really good option, being 1400m on a familiar track."
Among Lees' other chances on Saturday are Launch Code in the TAB.com.au Handicap (1000m) and Wahng Wah in the #theraces Handicap (1800m).
"Launch Code has got a terrific turn of foot when everything goes right but he's still a work in progress," Lees said.
"He wants to do everything a bit quick so keeping him at the 1000m probably suits.
"Whang Wah hasn't been helping herself – she's got no real tactical speed.
"She needs to put herself in the race so we've decided to step her up in trip and she looks like she'll handle a quick back-up because she always carries good condition and maintains her weight.
"She hasn't won in Saturday grade yet but has been consistent at that level."
