KRIS LEES would love In Her Time to go out on a high but the Newcastle trainer insists the mare doesn't own him or the owners anything as one of the stable stars prepares for motherhood.
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The seven-year-old is a $9 chance in the group 3 Hall Marks Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday in what could be her final race.
"She is off to the broodmare sales in early May," Lees said. "There is an option to run the following Saturday but that will be assessed off the back of this. There is every chance that this is her last run. It is a drop in grade from her most recent run. Probably the most important fact is that we will have firmer ground. The track was a little bit heavier the other day which is not to her liking."
In Her Time finished eighth in the group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago behind Nature Strip.
She drops in class here but the race remains strong.
"She should be able to travel mid-field in that stalking type of spot which she likes," Lees said. "That will give her every chance."
In Her Time won the group 1 Lightning Stakes for Lees after he took over the training from the disqualified Ben Smith.
"She has won just under $4 million in total prizemoney," Lees said. "In the 18 months we have had her she has won at group 1 and raced at a high level. The owners have had a great run with her and she will sell very well in a broodmare sale."
Another of Lees' stable stars Le Romain resumes in the same race and he admitted the three-time group 1-winner was at a crossroads.
The seven year old hasn't raced since bleeding in the $1m The Hunter at Broadmeadow in November.
"He is not getting any younger," Lees said. "I think he will benefit from the run for his next outing. Again he is always capable fresh and I wouldn't be surprised to see him run well."
Lees other two runners, Graf and Tactical Advantage have been scratched and "will run the following Saturday".
James Cummings' trained Godolphin duo head betting with Deprive ($4.20) edging out Kementari ($4.60).
Lees is banking on improvement from highly-rated import Danceteria in the group 3 Japan Racing Association Plate (1200m).
A group 1 winner over 2000 metres in Europe, Danceteria has struggled to produce anything like that form in four Australian runs.
Three of those have been in the best company. He finished behind Verry Elleegant in the group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in his last start and drops in distance and grade here.
"There were glimpses at his most recent run so we are hopeful," Lees said. "He took off mid-race the other day and it might have helped him from a future point of view and switched him on a little bit. If he can run anywhere near his best he will be right in this race."
Fellow import Chief Ironside will have his first start for Lees in the JC Decaux Handicap (1400m).
"He has shown us a bit at home and is another who will get better deeper into the prep," Lees said. "But he could easily run well here at that grade."
