Ashley Maley puts future ‘city horse’ Royal Gap through paces with win at Geraldton Turf Club
Mid West trainer Ashley Maley has set a future city horse on his way with a win at Geraldton.
Maley — who trains at Gingin and splits his time between Geraldton and Perth — said Royal Gap should be able to make it in the big smoke after the three-year-old won at Geraldton Turf Club on Thursday.
“He’s learning his trade here,” Maley said.
“Eventually we think he’s going to be good enough to make city grade, probably in midweek.
“He’s a work in progress.
“He’s just getting better with each start.
“He’s very excitable and we’re just trying to get him to settle.
“Once the penny drops with him he’ll probably turn into a nice horse.”
He said Royal Gap was “still growing” and would likely have another start before going to the paddock for a spell to fill out and mature.
Top jockey Troy Turner was aboard.
Royal Gap ran third at Belmont earlier in January.
It was a good day for local trainers.
Belle Of The Night set them on their way, winning the first race of the day for Sean Rains.
Kim Anderson had another great day to go with a string of stellar outings this season.
Dark Peak won race three for the Geraldton-based trainer, the second win and sixth placing the four-year-old has scored this season.
Startrade got to the line first in race six to make it a double for Anderson’s stable.
It was the five-year-old’s third win in his last four starts — Startrade also has two seconds this season.
Startrade and Dark Peak have only finished outside the placings once each this season, both scoring no lower than fourth.
In race four, The Singing Tiger won for top local trainer Gordon Spowart.
Tricky Trix added another win in race five for Willie Parker in a great season.
Serpentine-based Neville Parker was the only city trainer to take home a first on the day.
His horse Choice Command won race seven.
The club has another meet this Thursday.
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