Le Romain's last Melbourne raid proved lucrative and the triple Group I winner is ready for Saturday's $1 million Memsie Stakes (1400m) after a spin around the Caulfield circuit on Tuesday morning.
Le Romain won the Group I Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in November last year at his only previous Victorian outing but the Memsie Stakes is the only run locked into the gelding's program at this stage.
Memsie Stakes rider Ben Melham piloted Le Romain in his gallop over 1000m, with Lees timing the son of Hard Spun to run home his last 600min in 38.5 seconds to top him off for his first race at Caulfield.
"He worked well this morning and arrived down in good order," Lees said. "He's come on really well from the encouraging first-up run so he's ready for 1400m.
"He handled the track well and I think he profiles like a Caulfield horse if there is such a thing."
Le Romain started odds-on but finished 1 ¼ lengths from Invincible Gem when he resumed in the Group II Missile Stakes (1200) at Randwick on August 5 but Lees also trialled the five-year-old at Randwick after his first-up run.
Lees said the trial brought Le Romain along for the Memsie Stakes but the Newcastle trainer said the locals could provide tough opposition for the winner of more than $2.29 million in stakes.
"He finds a hot race and barrier draws will be important," Lees said.
"He has had a trial in between and a couple of nice gallops. He needed the run first up and he had a tougher run than the winner.
"I thought Vega Magic was very good the other day and looked one of the horses to beat and Weiry's horse Black Heart Bart will be hard to beat."
However, Lees could face a task after the Memsie Stakes if "sniffs" around the horse for a berth in The Everest produce a spot in the $10 million event on October 14.
Lees said the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes over the Flemington 1600m course looked a good race for Le Romain but he had enough time to alter the horse's programme if an Everest spot became available.
"I can understand they are all keeping their powder dry and waiting but there is still a bit of time (until) October 14 so there's still time to freshen him up for 1200(m) if we head that way," Lees said.
"He could still go to the Makybe Diva possibly but if he gained a slot in the next week or so, I'd probably take him and give him one more run at home.
"If he got a wet track, he'd be right in the race and he beat Chautauqua over 1300m at weight-for-age."
