Royal Symphony pleases in racecourse gallop

Darryl Sherer - Sunday September 3

Unbeaten colt Royal Symphony pleased trainer Tony McEvoy with a gallop at Caulfield on Saturday and could repeat the scenario next week.

Advertisement
Royal Symphony and Illumicon (inside) galloping at Caulfield. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Royal Symphony was ridden by Dwayne Dunn and paired with Illumicon, ridden by Luke Currie, the pair cantering off from the 1200m before quickening into the home straight and working home strongly the last 400m.

McEvoy said he was satisfied with the way both colts worked.

"Royal Symphony did his typical thing that he does in his races and on the point of the turn he looked off the bit and I thought for a moment he might not pick the other horse up, but all of a sudden he clicked into gear, was there with him and went on to win the gallop," McEvoy said.

"He's had a healthy blow afterwards and a fortnight out from his first-up race, I think we are where we need to be but I'll possibly take him to Moonee Valley to do the same again next Saturday."

McEvoy has the Exford Plate over 1400m at Flemington on September 16 as the first-up race for Royal Symphony and is pleased with the way the son of Domesday was progressing.

"He arrived here at Caulfield and was very composed so I was really pleased and I think he's grown up a little bit in the head," McEvoy said.

"He's a colt and thinks he's the best horse in the stable so a trip away from home helps get some of the exuberance under control - we want him concentrating that in his races."

McEvoy said he is likely to run last start Bendigo winner Illumicon next Saturday at Moonee Valley.

"He was very impressive in a good maiden the other day and he goes to Moonee Valley next Saturday for a 1500m three-year-old race and I'm still thinking the Caulfield Guineas with him," McEvoy said.

"He's a nice horse - a good galloper and I've got a lot of time for him."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Rich Hill Bred Ace High Mare Chasing G2 Rich Hill Mile
Gifted four-year-old She’s A Dealer is in the right order to make a successful challenge for higher honours on New Year’s Day.
Christmas Stakes Catalogue Updates Aplenty
The last week of Christmas racing has been as busy as usual and thrown up plenty of black type updates, including five new stakes winners, for upcoming yearling sale.
Cambridge Stud Purchase Brings Christmas Cheer to Te Akau
A barnstorming finish has delivered Te Akau Racing with a stunning late Christmas present as underrated galloper What You Wish For came from last on the home bend to take out the Harcourts Taupo Cup (2000m) in front of a bumper holiday crowd.
Sandbar 2YO Wins $50,000 Clan O’Sullivan
A three-quarter brother to Golden Slipper winning sire Farnan, Kooringal Stud’s Sandbar is a bargain priced alternative for the breed to race owners and he produced a brilliant debut two year-old winner at Canberra on Sunday when Bar Jester landed the $50,000 Clan O’Sullivan (1000m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 28
Here is the full list of 65 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud Bred Mare Wins G3 Belle of the Turf – Half-Sister K1 2026
The Kris Lees stable has been in hot form over the summer and claimed another feature race win at Gosford on Sunday when progressive mare Kind Words downed the race favoruite Hyperbolic to win the $300,000 Group III Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m).
One to Watch – Gosford
Opening the program at Gosford on Sunday was a talented Zoustar three year-old that bolted in for the Joe Pride stable carrying the colours of his breeder Bill Frost’s Pendant Equine.
Caffe Florian Wins Listed Gosford Guineas – Full Sister MM 2026
The baldy face of Caffe Florian was the widest of all runners turning for home in the $200,000 Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) on Sunday as the Richard Litt trained filly attempted to loop the field, a risky move on a lesser horse, but a winning one for this rising star.
Full Brothers Deliver Star Stakes Double in Tasmania
Five year-old Needs Further gelding Durazzo continued his domination of the summer racing in Tasmania at Hobart on Sunday racking up his third successive stakes win when taking out the $125,000 Listed Kevin Sharkie The Inevitable Stakes (1600m), putting the spotlight on his yearling half-sister heading to 2026 MM Tasmania.
The $6,000 Stallion Casting a Long Shadow
While looking for an image of Snippets to go with our celebration of Snippets long form story before Christmas I was drawn to the back of my storage cupboard and there in a remote and dusty corner was a pile of Stallions books and 2001 gave me what I needed and also some serious food for thought.