Wagga Town Plate hosts comeback of Royal Insignia

Stakes-winning Royal Insignia embarks on a fresh start by resuming in the $200,000 Wagga Town Plate, paving the way for an anticipated winter stint in Queensland.

The son of Written Tycoon claimed the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at age three before form faded, forcing connections to geld him despite hesitation.

"It's a bitter pill to swallow, but he just wasn't putting it all together on race days, even though he has shown an enormous amount of ability," trainer Grahame Begg said.

"So we bit the bullet and gelded him."

Absent from the track since a poor showing in the Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m) over Caulfield on November 29, the four-year-old has had two jump outs plus a trial in readiness for Thursday's Wagga Town Plate (1200m) first-up.

From four prior fresh assignments, he has one win and two podium finishes, with his lone off-day being a closing fourth at Group 2 standard last spring.

A strong showing could send him to Queensland for events such as the Group 2 Morton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm June 6, while trainer Begg keeps open the option of the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) the following week if ratings permit.

"He needs to get his rating up. But there are other races outside that, plenty of lovely races up there. The Moreton Cup over 1200, and there are races on Tatt's Day," he said.

The Town Plate, kicking off the two-day Wagga carnival, draws 40 nominations.

Compelling Truth and Gravina, who filled the top two spots 12 months ago, are entered, and the Listed Wagga Cup (2000m) on Friday boasts 29 entries headed by defending duo Flying Bandit and Bianco Vilano.

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