Racing
Romeo proves a cut above at Sandown
At his first start as a gelding, Hello Romeo has scored at Sandown.
The Lindsay Park team of Ben, Will and J D Hayes has taken advantage of a winter contest at Sandown to add to their haul of two-year-old winners.
Success by Hello Romeo in the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1000m) on Saturday was the Lindsay Park stable's 25th juvenile winner for the season.
Will Hayes said the two-year-olds had been the banner horses for the stable.
"It is always a good sign, the youth coming through with good strength," Hayes said.
"It gives us a lot to look forward to in coming seasons."
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, Hello Romeo ($5) showed a lot of courage to hold off debutant Street Legal ($7) by a short-neck with Tallingas Immortal ($21) a further 1-¾ lengths away third.
Hello Romeo was having his first start back from a trip to New Zealand, where he finished midfield in the Karaka Million, and a gelding operation.
"He's an absolute professional mentally," Hayes said.
"The international trip to New Zealand, he coped with it really well as a colt, but between that prep and this prep he's had the ultimate gear change."
With Saturday's success, Hello Romeo is eligible for the Next Generation Sprinters Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 5.
Hayes said the stable hopes the gelding will then be up to tackling the early season three-year-old Stakes races.
"He's up, he's sound and he's firing, and I said while the sun's shining, make hay," Hayes said.
"He's come back in good order as a gelding, so hopefully he's got a long, successful prep ahead.
"He's got a nice balance of professionalism and talent, it's going to take him a long way.
"He's gelding now, so we'll place him in every race where we think he can win and make as much money for the owners, so benchmark rating points and prize money is our goal."
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