Second Group 1 for Hard Spun's Le Romain

Breeder and part owner Mark Carusi now has 1,506,325 reasons to thank sales companies for rejecting Le Romain after the son of Hard Spun (USA) claimed his second win at the elite level in Saturday's $1,000,000 Group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

The winner last season of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas at the expense of Press Statement, La Romain was a close-up fifth to Hauraki in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick as his most recent start.

The Kris Lees-trained 4yo gelding was runner-up in the Group III Show County Quality, Group II Tramway Stakes and Group III Cameron Handicap at his first three starts this season.

Given a positive ride by Hugh Bowman, Le Romain held off the luckless McCreery (GB) (Big Bad Bob) by a length with Tivaci (High Chaparral) a short head away in third. (photos Grant Courtney).

In earning his second win at the highest level, Le Romain advances his overall record to 4 wins, 6 seconds and 1 third from 13 starts for earnings of $1,506,325.

"He ran a hell of a race in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick," Bowman said.

"There was a tearaway leader and this horse took the field up to him and felt it late.

"We were quietly confident that he was going to get the right run and that's exactly when he got."

Newcastle-based trainer Kris Lees said it was a welcome change of luck for a horse who rarely gives anything but his best.

 "He's been underrated in some circles but not by the stable," Lees said.

"He was really brave in the Epsom. Four weeks really suited him then and we were confident he'd run well.

"We got the right breaks and were able to get there at the right time."

Bred by Mark Carusi with his brother Anthony, Le Romain was not considered a good enough type to make a yearling sale and Carusi was forced to race the colt himself.

He had purchased Le Romain's dam Mignard for $18,000 from a Darley Reduction in 2009.

The daughter of Strategic was the winner of a Hawkesbury maiden in 11 starts.

Her dam Mielleuse (Night Shift) was placed in the Group II Reisling Slipper and is a half-sister to the stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placed Pursuits (Quest For Fame).

Mignard has a 2yo filly by Domesday named Isabeau and yearling filly by Kuroshio. She recently foaled a colt by the Exceed And Excel stallion.