Doyle's city famine could turn to feast if Royal Banquet reigns
His most promising horses have returned from town without success but Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle's luck could be about to change when Royal Banquet arrives at Warwick Farm
Doyle’s exciting Strawb and the consistent Cafe Royal have failed to find their best form in stronger Saturday company at Kensington and Rosehill. Neither, however, were adept in the heavy conditions prevailing this winter.
The racing action returns to Warwick Farm on Wednesday.Credit:Jenny Evans
That’s not the case with Royal Banquet, who is set to tackle the Grunt Standing @ Yulong Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday.
Doyle regards the three-year-old as an able wet-tracker, demonstrated in a trial win in May and Scone in June - his first run this preparation.
The gelding was back on top of the ground in his latest triumph, a Class 2 at Newcastle on July 4, when he sat on the speed and showed a smart turn of foot to break away and hold a clear margin on the line.
The Warwick Farm race presents an interesting challenge for Royal Banquet, to be ridden by Lee Magorrian who partnered him in the Scone win, as he takes on another up-and-coming three-year-old in Syncline.
Like Royal Banquet, the Kris Lees-trained Syncline is unbeaten this preparation with wins at Taree and Hawkesbury, and the latter came on a heavy track.
It’s widely expected Syncline will look to find the lead from the outside barrier, as he has done in both his wins, while Royal Banquet has shown versatility by sitting both on and off the pace.
This promises to be an intriguing battle between the duo, from both a betting perspective and when the gates open.
Elsewhere on the Warwick Farm program, there’ll be plenty of interest in the Matthew Dunn-trained debutant Quatum in the Xtravagant At Newhaven Park Handicap (1100m).
The two-year-old has shown talent in his two Sydney trials in the month of July and stretched a smart older filly in Heart Of The Oak in running second on a heavy track over 900 metres a couple of weeks ago.
BEST BETS
Race 1: (2) Quatum
Race 5: (5) Royal Banquet
BEST VALUE
Race 6: (7) Liara
Tips supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au