TESTA Rossa duo Twilight Royal and Spy Decoder can fight out the finish of the Group 3 $150,000 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at this weekend’s stand alone meeting.
The Bjorn Baker trained Twlight Royal will use the feature as her final lead-up to the Scone Guineas in two weeks’ time where she pockets an incredible bonanza of $2.4m should she take out the Scone Guineas.
So far the filly has fullfileld all the criteria needed to bag the awaiting Inglis bonus having taken out the Inglis Premier and Group 2 VRC Sire’s Produce Stakes beating subsequent Cox Plate winner Shamus Award.
Spy Decoder meanwhile can stake his claim as Sydney’s most progressive galloper should he run to expectations in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
The son of Testa Rossa has come a long way since he finished runner-up in a Wyong Maiden on March 6.
He won his next two starts (at Wyong and Warwick Farm) before capturing the attention with a fast finishing fourth in the Listed ATC South Pacific Classic (1400m) during The Championships at Randwick on April 19.
“He ran well and has come out of that race in great shape,” trainer Anthony Cummings told Sportsman.
“He is just a little bit reluctant to load and has been slow out which has really cost him.
“I think had he jumped well in the South Pacific he would have put himself right in the finish because it was a leader dominated race.”
Cummings bought Spy Decoder for $210,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sale off breeder Gerry Harvey.
The gelding is a full-brother to Fontelina who won consecutive renewals of the Group 2 VRC Salinger Stakes.
