Romeo proves a cut above at Sandown
Lindsay Park’s two-year-old dominance continued on Saturday at Sandown with Hello Romeo’s determined victory marking the stable’s 25th juvenile win of the season.
The Ben, Will, and J D Hayes team watched on as Hello Romeo claimed the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m) under a brave ride from Daniel Stackhouse.
“It is always a good sign, the youth coming through with good strength,” Will Hayes said.
“It gives us a lot to look forward to in coming seasons.”
Backed into $5, Hello Romeo showed resilience to hold off Street Legal ($7) by a narrow margin, while Tallingas Immortal ($21) filled the minor placing just behind.
This was Hello Romeo’s first outing since travelling to New Zealand for the Karaka Million, where he ran midfield. Between that campaign and this win, he was gelded, a change Hayes believes has sharpened him up.
“He’s an absolute professional mentally,” Hayes said.
“The international trip to New Zealand, he coped with it really well as a colt, but between that prep and this prep he’s had the ultimate gear change.”
Following his win, Hello Romeo now qualifies for the Next Generation Sprinters Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 5, and Lindsay Park have higher ambitions for him.
“He’s up, he’s sound and he’s firing, and I said while the sun’s shining, make hay,” Hayes said.
“He’s come back in good order as a gelding, so hopefully he’s got a long, successful prep ahead.
“He’s got a nice balance of professionalism and talent, it’s going to take him a long way.
“He’s gelding now, so we’ll place him in every race where we think he can win and make as much money for the owners, so benchmark rating points and prize money is our goal.”
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