Owners weigh up massive offers for Knight’s Choice

Posted by RS NewsWire at 11:56pm on July 3rd

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.

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.”

More Racing News

Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic

A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...

Yesterday

Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six

Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...

Yesterday

The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth

Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...

Yesterday

Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes

A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...

Yesterday

Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000

Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...

Yesterday

Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest

Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...

May 16th

Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream

The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...

May 16th

‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup

Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...

May 16th

Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?

To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...

May 16th

Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes

Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...

May 16th