Considered the unlucky runner in the Stradbroke Handicap, Gold Symphony has given his connections some compensation with victory in the Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained four-year-old was caught wide at his previous start on June 10 in Brisbane’s premier Group One sprint but things panned out perfectly in Saturday’s Listed race.
Gold Symphony ($5.50) came from back in the field to win by half a length over The Monstar ($9) and give jockey Hugh Bowman his third winner for the day.
Slightly Sweet ($16) was another 1-1/2 lengths in third, with favourite Sir Bacchus ($4.20) failing to make up enough ground and finishing sixth.
Paul Snowden was thrilled to see Gold Symphony win.
“He is a momentum horse and got a nice, genuine tempo today,” Snowden said.
“He is also good on rain-affected ground and that swayed us to keep him here instead of going to the Sunshine Coast for the Glasshouse Handicap.
“Often it’s wet in Queensland but it hasn’t really been this winter.”
Gold Symphony came to the Snowdens at Randwick after doing his early racing for the now-retired Peter Moody.
The horse was gelded late last year, which Snowden said had turned his form around.
“It has made such a difference to him,” he said.
Both Snowden and The Monstar’s trainer, Brett Cavanough, said they thought their charges would get too much weight to tempt them towards the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton on July 12.
Cavanough was particularly pleased with The Monstar’s effort under a topweight of 59.5kg, with Dean Yendall replacing Travis Wolfgram, who collapsed after an earlier ride because of dehydration.
“It was The Monstar’s first time at the distance so it opens things up for him,” Cavanough said.
“But I think the Ramornie would be too big an ask.”
Snowden said Gold Symphony was likely to be aimed at a similar race while the tracks were wet in Sydney.
Gold Symphony’s win was the third on the program for Bowman who is making a late charge at Brenton Avdulla for the Sydney rider’s premiership.
