Rosehill’s leading trainer Chris Waller rounded out that track’s biggest day in style on Saturday when Syreon led home stablemate Beijing Boy to win the Group Three Queen’s Cup (2000m).
The win was the second on an interesting day for Waller. His Group One winner Rangirangdoo pulled up scratchy, while his Golden Slipper runner Fast and Sexy was a late scratching.
Syreon’s gutsy on speed win put a smile back on Waller’s face as that gelding’s owners heaped praise on the record breaking horseman.
A son of Flying Spur and former smart racemare Sorrento, Syreon got to the front a long way from home in the Cup and showed great fight to get home first in a busy finish.
The evergreen gelding is now trained by Waller after being prepared previously by his yearling sale purchaser and part owner Anne-Marie Ruttley.
“Bob and Anne-Marie have been great to me and given me a lot of support,” Waller said after the win.
“They run a great spelling and pre-training farm and send me this horse in magnificent order.”
Connections’ dreams of a Doncaster Mile start remained on track with the win and he could be one of four runners in the race for Waller.
“Mr Ruttley made me make sure he was paid up for the Doncaster. I know it’s a long range hope, but you can’t discount it.”
“Hopefully the win will lift him up the order of entry for the Doncaster and he can sneak into the field.”
“He had three starts in three weeks after I first got him and then he’s come here today and done the job again so you can’t ask for much more than that.”
Syreon follows a family tradition by winning on Slipper day. His sire Flying Spur won the Slipper in 1995, while his dam Sorrento won the Queen of the Turf Stakes on this day in 2001.
A daughter of Just a Dancer, Sorrento won seven stakes – five of them at stakes level. A Group win in Sydney and Melbourne and three listed victories in New Zealand.
Sorrento is a three quarter sister to six time Group Two winner and accomplished sire Stargazer and multiple stakes winner Spangles and half sister to kiwi stakes winner Kap the Bid.
Syreon was purchased by Anne-Marie Ruttley (nee Moller) for $100,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Vinery Stud.
As it stands he has raced on 23 occasions for six wins and seven minor placings and earnings of over $274,000.
Winner: Syreon (Flying Spur-Sorrento)
Race: ATC Queen’s Cup G3 (2000m)
Sold for: $100,000
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor: Vinery Stud (As Agent)
Buyer: Anne-Marie Moller
Earnings: $274,250
Owner(s): Robanne Lodge Syndicate (Mgr: RD Ruttley)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Rosehill)