Royal Symphony is favourite to win the Caulfield Guineas
After getting his first look around the course where he is favourite to win the $2 million Caulfield Guineas, Royal Symphony could have another raceday gallop ahead of his highly anticipated spring return.
On Saturday, trainer Tony McEvoy took Royal Symphony to Caulfield where he galloped in company with stablemate Illumicon who runs in a 1500m-race this weekend at Moonee Valley.
Royal Symphony could also appear at that meeting for another gallop between races ahead of his scheduled return the following Saturday at Flemington in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m).
“With a fortnight until his first-up race, I think we’re where we need to be,” McEvoy said.
“He had a bit of a blow. I knew he would.
“His base fitness is fantastic. It’s just his lungs we’re working on now, and his lungs said he needed that gallop and he’ll need another one. And we’ve got time.
“I’ll look at him this week and let him tell me, but another trip away from home would be good for him.”
The unbeaten Royal Symphony sat off his stablemate before Dwayne Dunn asked him to pick up in the straight and he went on to win the gallop by about three-quarters of a length.
“He was pretty good,” Dunn said.
“It gave him an opportunity to have a look at the track. He probably won’t see it again before he gets to the Guineas.
“He looks good. I was under a bit of pressure on the corner but he flattened out well.
“It wasn’t a bad horse he was working with.
“They are fitness gallops but also an opportunity to have a look at the surface and the circumference.”
Last-start Bendigo maiden winner Illumicon could also earn a crack at the Guineas if he impresses on Saturday and again in a 1600m-handicap for three-year-olds at Caulfield two weeks later.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him,” McEvoy said.
