Tony McEvoy's blood pressure skyrocketed while Everest decisions are imminent for two Lindsay Park runners in The Everest after a busy day at Flemington.
SYMPHONY SENDS McEVOY'S PULSE SKYWARDS
Colour was returning to trainer Tony McEvoy's face as he passed through the scales area after Royal Symphony's win in the Listed Pin & Win Plate (1400m) at Flemington.
A torrid run, which included early buffeting and the colt being strung up behind runners, gave McEvoy a genuine scare before Royal Symphony produced an amazing turn of foot to narrowly keep his unbeaten record.
"Feel that boys…now that's a pulse!" McEvoy exclaimed pointing at a throbbing jugular vein moments after the win.
"That was just amazing that he could win that."
The unflappable Ciaron Maher, trainer of one of Royal Symphony's main Caulfield Guineas rivals Merchant Navy, noted he was impressed by the win.
"It was impressive and he'll improve," Maher said of Royal Symphony.
"But I wouldn't want to swap my horse."
The Caulfield Guineas promises to be a bumper contest on October 14.
THURSDAY DECISION ON LINDSAY PARK'S EVEREST LINE-UP
Co-trainer David Hayes says a midweek meeting will confirm The Star Entertainment Centre's representative in The Everest at Randwick.
Redkirk Warrior lived up to Hayes's high billing when he easily won the Group II Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) to give Hayes and co-trainers, son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, a double-pronged attack on The Everest alongside Memsie Stakes winner Vega Magic.
Hayes senior said he would recommend Redkirk Warrior represents The Star casino in the $10 million event.
"He (Redkirk Warrior) is an awesome sprinter when he's trained to sprint," Hayes said.
Hayes also expects a deal to be done for Memsie Stakes winner to run in the inaugural edition of Randwick's newest showpiece.
CAULFIELD CUP TIP IN THE STEWARDS' ROOM?
Tips come from many weird sources and an exchange in the stewards' room might have uncovered a Caulfield Cup pointer in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Ventura Storm was held up for a significant part of the straight in the Makybe Diva Stakes and chief steward Terry Bailey was chatting to jockey Regan Bayliss before an inquiry.
"Did he get any daylight at all?" Bailey asked Bayliss.
"Not much," Bayliss responded. "He would have run second or third with any luck".
Bailey noted Ventura Storm was "going well towards the Caulfield Cup" and asked Bayliss whether the imported stayer had his weight.
Ventura Storm is a $41 chance in Caulfield Cup betting and co-trainer David Hayes described him as his "perfect Caulfield Cup horse".
HOW TOUGH IS DAMIAN LANE?
Damian Lane showed plenty of old-fashioned 'guts and determination' to bounce back from a fall with a couple of Group winners at Flemington.
Lane hit the deck when his mount Limestone clipped heels and fell late in the Danehill Stakes while his helmet saved him from serious injury.
Lane handed his helmet to stewards for inspection before sending a runner to his car to grab his trackwork helmet, which he used for wins aboard Sword Of Light and Humidor in the Let's Elope Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes respectively.
"For a few moments there I thought I'd definitely at least be missing the rest of the day," Lane said.
"But I gave it five or 10 minutes and I felt good to go. I'm lucky to have escaped with no injury."
WINKS JUMPS GUN IN INQUIRY
James Winks had a resigned air when he was called into the stewards' room half-way through Saturday's Flemington meeting.
Winks and fellow riders Ben Melham and Dwayne Dunn had given evidence in connection with an incident early in an action-packed Pin & Win Plate (1400m), which the jockey didn't think went well.
Winks thought he was getting a holiday when he went into the stewards' room with his head down.
However, chief steward Terry Bailey told Winks he could not solely be blamed for the incident and they would not proceed with a charge.
It's amazing how a person's outlook can change in one sentence!
