After an aborted spring campaign, Gold Symphony is set to make an early autumn return at Flemington.
A setback in the lead-up to the Golden Rose at Randwick in September put an end to the Peter Moody-trained three-year-old’s spring campaign after victories in two black-type races at Caulfield.
The son of Reward For Effort is set to return on Saturday in the Inglis Dash before embarking on a stakes race campaign.
Gold Symphony established himself as one of Melbourne’s best sprinting three-year-olds early in the 2015-16 season, winning the Vain Stakes and the McNeil Stakes, both at Group Three level.
The Group One Golden Rose was going to shape further spring plans for Gold Symphony before illness ruled him out of the 1400m race.
Moody said the Australian Guineas over 1600m at Flemington in March was the likely target for Gold Symphony, providing he shows the trainer he can run the trip.
“We were going to go to the 1400 metres of the Golden Rose but he got sick,” Moody said.
“So we’ve still got to work out whether he can run a mile.
“He’s a nice relaxed colt that’s got good ability so if he runs a mile he’ll be headed that way for sure.”
Moody said the Inglis Dash had come around at the right time, and importantly with good prize money.
Besides the $250,000 stakes on offer, there is another $30,000 in bonuses up for grabs.
“Being a colt we couldn’t just leave him out so because he went and spelled early he was back in the stable early,” Moody said.
“This is a nice suitable race with good prize money for a return and then he can have three or four weeks to get ready for the stakes races in the autumn.”
Glen Boss, who rode the three-year-old in his two early spring victories at Caulfield, has the ride.
Rocky Boomboa, the winner of the rich VOBIS Gold Carat at Moonee Valley on January 2, is one of 14 opponents Gold Symphony will face on Saturday.
