Le Romain Upsets Randwick Guineas

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Photo: Mark Gatt
Palentino won the Australian Guineas by a half head.

Le Romain, a son of Darley's Central Kentucky sire Hard Spun  , upset favorite Press Statement to win the Randwick Guineas (Aus-I) in his top-level debut March 5.
 
Following his well-beaten second to Press Statement last time out in the Feb. 20 Hobartville (Aus-II), Le Romain held off his rival by a slim margin in a driving finish Saturday.
 
With Christian Reith riding for trainer Kris Lees, Le Romain relaxed midfield early, moved into contention around the turn, and pocketed Press Statement to his inside.
 
Le Romain sprinted to the lead a furlong out and dug in when Press Statement came calling, winning by a short neck and finishing 1,600 meters (about one mile) in 1:33.38.  
 
Owned by partnership that includes breeder Anthony Carusi, the consistent Le Romain is the ninth group I winner for Hard Spun. He out of the winning Strategic mare Mignard. With the Randwick Guineas victory, his first in a stakes, his record improves to 3-3-1 from seven starts. 
 
 
In the Australian Guineas (Aus-I) at Caulfield, also Saturday, favorite Xtravagant attempted to lead all the way but was swamped in the final furlong. Palentino and Victoria Derby (Aus-I) victory Tarzino asserted themselves but Palentino lunged on the line to the win by a half head. 
 
A protest ensued but stewards upheld the result. 
 
Trained by Darren Weir for a large ownership group, Palentino covered one mile in 1:35.28 under Mark Zahra. 
 
A son of Teofilo, who stands at Darley's Kildangan Stud in Ireland, Palentino earned his first group stakes win after taking a stakes a Flemington in November. He finished first in the C.S. Hayes Stakes (Aus-III) Feb. 20 at the same track steward denied the victor and placed him second.
 
Palentino's win was one on two group I wins on the day for Teofilo. His son Special Fighter won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (UAE-I) the same day at Meydan
 
Weir secured Palentino for Aus$85,000 (US$76,730) at the 2014 Magic Millions Tasmanian yearling sale. His dam is the winning Palace Music mare Palatine Hill. 
 
 
In New Zealand, Rangipo won the New Zealand Derby (NZ-I) for his first win at the highest level. The son of Stryker—Holloway, by Zabeel, has won seven of 12 career starts, including the Great Northern Guineas (NZ-II), Waikato Guineas (NZ-II), and Avondale Guineas (NZ-II) Feb. 20 last time out.