Knight’s Choice proved in Saturday’s Winx Guineas just why John Symons has had such a big opinion of him, but the questions around the gelding don’t end with what to do with him next.
There is a chance it might not be the Sunshine Coast trainer’s decision to make with Symons and co-trainer Sheila Laxon already fending bigger offers than what had been received before Saturday’s Group 3 race at the Sunshine Coast.
Symons revealed post-race that owners had knocked back offers of up to $1 million for the three-year-old Extreme Choice gelding, but those offers have swollen substantially.
Knight’s Choice is raced by Richard and Kaye Waldron, along with Cameron Bain, son of Rod, who Symons has a friendship with dating back to when he trained out of Seymour, and the trainer said the new offers had given them something to think about with the horse who was a $85,000 yearling.
“My advice is to do what they want to do if they’re enjoying it,” Symons told RSN927 on Monday morning.
“I would leave it completely up to Cameron. His idea is he’s bought the horses for his dad to enjoy, he’s certainly getting some enjoyment at the moment and I’m sure there’s a fair bit more enjoyment to come.
“However, I was on the phone only five minutes ago and there was a bigger offer come in. I haven’t spoken to Cameron yet, but I think Cameron will resist and keep racing here in Australia.”
Knight’s Choice underlined his status as one of the most exciting horses in Australia with his dominant 1-1/4-length win in the Winx Guineas, which was his fourth win on end.
All four wins have been at about 1600m, but Symons said Knight’s Choice has the versatility to win at distances either side of a mile and is hoping he gets the opportunity to test him in bigger races this spring.
“I think 1200, 1400, 1600 (metres), who knows, maybe even 2000,” Symons said when asked what might be his best trip.
“If he can run 2000, we’re looking at a pretty smart horse.”
