Gentleman Roy highlights successful day at the Valley for Lindsay Park

By Zac Standish

Jan 30, 2022

Dominant ride: Gentleman Roy crosses the line a clear winner of the Steamatic Handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo Reg Ryan/Racing Photos Photo by Reg Ryan

Lindsay Park Racing continued its golden start to 2022 with another strong showing on Australia Stakes day at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon.

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Gentleman Roy was the star of the show for the Euroa-based stable, producing a dominant performance to run away a clear winner in the $75,000 Steamatic Handicap.

Coming into the 1600m race a strong $2 favourite, the five-year-old gelding jumped strongly from barrier two to settle nicely behind leader Delightful Journey.

Looking to time his run to perfection, jockey Luke Nolen began to make his move towards the top of the straight, taking the lead as the field rounded the final turn.

From there it was a complete Gentleman Roy domination, making a statement over the last 300m to leave the rest of the field in his wake and salute with a convincing two-length victory.

Speaking with Racing.com at the track post-race, Lindsay Park head trainer Ben Hayes said some slight adjustments from his last start were the catalyst behind this strong performance.

“It was a great ride by Luke, we acknowledged that we got his tactics wrong last start and today we were able to roll, there was a good tempo in the race, everything was off the bit coming into the bend and that’s what he can do, he can maintain a fast sprint for a long time,” Hayes said.

“I am hoping he can now go through the grades and end up in a nice race in the autumn.”

Although Gentleman Roy was the only winner the Hayes brothers could produce on the day, the stable would have been impressed with six-year-old gelding Muswellbrook’s second placed finish in the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap.

Taking his place at the back of the field in the early stages, jockey Josh Richards bided his time before beginning to make a move along the outside with 600m to go.

As the favoured Zoltan shot to the front as the field rounded the final turn, Muswellbrook did all he could to chase him down and claim the unlikely victory.

But it wasn’t to be as the Linda Meech-ridden Zoltan kicked into gear over the final 200m to finish a two-length winner, while Muswellbrook managed to hold on for second place in a tight finish.

The Hayes brothers would also have Luna Cat in the hotly-contested Chandler Macleod VOBIS Gold Carat, running well to finish in fourth position.

Lindsay Park wasn’t the only stable flying the flag for the region at the Valley on Saturday, with Kyabram-born Danny O’Brien also experiencing success as four-year-old mare Americain Angel took out the 1600m Ladbroke Handicap.