A brilliant ride by Dylan Gibbons has helped King Of Roseau end an 18-month hiatus from the winner’s list and shed his tag as “the best class one horse going around”.
The gelding was successful on debut at Canberra in December 2023 but hadn’t managed to repeat the dose since.
He had been primarily competing in superior company and managed two stakes placings last spring, but Gibbons admitted he wasn’t sure if the three-year-old might have been down on confidence.
“I was pretty aware he’d had nearly twenty starts now and only one win and racing higher grade,” Gibbons said.
“Confidence is everything and that, he probably would have lacked because he hasn’t won in so long.
“It was a good job for the team to have him humming the way he was and it allowed me to point and shoot. Even when he got there he had a little stargaze and then he’s gone on with it.”
King Of Roseau was coming off an unplaced run on a heavy track at Randwick when he failed to handle the ground but appreciated the improved soft 5 conditions for Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1300m).
Gibbons described it as a deserved victory given the horse’s overall consistency, reflected in his prizemoney earnings of over $500,000 before his Rosehill performance.
“I said to them (connections) before the race, he was probably the best class one horse going around,” Gibbons quipped.
“That’s probably not a nice thing to hear in a way, so it was well deserved.”
Trained by Peter Snowden, King Of Roseau ($14) scored by 1-1/2 lengths over Snack Bar ($3.10 fav) with Crafty Eagle ($19) a long neck away third.
