Image: Bruno Canatelli
Gentleman Roy will aim for the bigger races during the autumn after his maiden win at Sandown
Ben and JD Hayes have Group 1 ambitions for Gentleman Roy at Lindsay Park after his maiden win at Sandown.
On his first outing since finishing in the money at Mooney Valley in October, Gentleman Roy accelerated to take out the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) on Thursday.
Sent off the $3.30 favorite under Mark Zahra, Gentleman Roy won by three-quarters of a length from Dawn Passage ($7.50) with Crosshaven ($7.50) a further 1-¼ lengths back in third.
Gentleman Roy has now won eight of his 16 starts and Lindsay Park has been careful in his placement of the gelding.
JD Hayes said the Group 1 The Doncaster (1600m) at Randwick in April was in a steady mind as well as a possible start in the All-Star Mile at Mooney Valley last month.
Stablemate Mr Brightside ran in the All-Star Mile the previous year before winning The Doncaster.
Hayes said, “We have designed a program similar to that of Mr Brightside in Doncaster.”
“We think he is a similar quality horse and definitely has an engine beneath him.
“There is also the All-Star Mile and I would like people to vote for him as well as Mr. Brightside, it would be nice to have two in the running.
“He profiles like Mr. Brightside and has similar ratings at the same stage.”
Gentleman Roy is an emerging seven-year-old who has been a conscientious campaigner through his brief career, while Hayes said the gelding had taken time to mature.
But the co-trainer said the stables were lucky to be able to point Gentleman Roy towards a race and that the gelding would rarely let him down.
Hayes said, “We have a very good campaign for him and if he can continue to tick the boxes, we’ve got some happy owners.”
*Existing customers only. Second racing bet. Except SA and WA. T’s and C’s apply. Gambling responsibly.
