After a slashing sixth in the Group I Stradbroke Handicap, Gold Symphony dropped back to Listed grade in Saturday's $125,000 Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens and was a dominant winner.
Taken back to near the tail of the field by Hugh Bowman, Gold Symphony cruised up to the leaders 300 metres from home.
It was left to the tough-as-teak topweight The
Jason Coyle's Slightly Sweet finished third, beaten a further one and a half lengths. (photo Steve Hart).
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden for Triple Crown Syndications, the son of Reward For Effort chalked up his fourth stakes win, advancing his overall record to 6 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $515,750.
"He was held up at a vital stage in the Stradbroke and had to wait for Impending to go before he did and he's a massive momentum horse," Paul Snowden said.
"He finished alongside Clearly Innocent who we know is a Group I winner himself.
"Today there was nice genuine tempo for most of the way and Hughie was able to get out at the 600m.
"Since this horse was gelded two preps ago he's really come of age and racing in good heart. And he can get through a rain-affected track like it's a good (4)."
Winner of the Group III Vain Stakes and Group III McNeil Stakes, both at Caulfield, at three, Gold Symphony added the Listed Canberra National Sprint (1400m) on March 5.
A $100,000 purchase by Triple Crown Syndications from the draft of Grange Thoroughbreds at the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling
Granddam Charming Belle (Imposing) is a half-sister to multiple Group II winner Delightful Belle, the dam of Golden Slipper and Newmarket Handicap winner Belle du Jour (Dehere) and to the dam of Group 1 Goodwood Handicap winner Perfectly Ready (More Than Ready).
A regular visitor to Reward For Effort, having being covered by the Group I Blue Diamond Stakes winner in her first five seasons at stud,
Reward For Effort stands at Chatswood Stud where his 2017 service fee has been set at $16,500.
