Royal Ida Keeps Winning Momentum

Monday, 08 February 2010 08:58

Prolific winner Royal Ida won his second black type race since coming out of retirement for new trainer Luke Oliver when he took out the Thomas Lyons Stakes at Hobart.

The Caulfield trainer has won three races, including the Group Three Standish Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on New Year's Day with the nine-year-old who was officially retired by his former trainer, Mt Gambier-based Mick O'Leary, who won 15 races with him.

"The ultimate goal with him is to get him to 20 wins and $1 million," Oliver said.

"We had this earmarked since last spring, after he won the Standish we decided to have a go in Melbourne (fourth of five to Black Caviar in the Group Two Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley last month) because he has won so many races and such a high rating."

Ridden by Brad Rawiller in the 1400m Listed weight-for-age feature, Royal Snack ($2.80 fav) scored a comfortable 1-3/4 length victory over Conquered with Life To The Full three-quarters of a length away third.

"When they are on level weights and not the top shelf he's normally too good for them," Oliver said.

Royal Ida has raced 55 times for 18 wins 14 placings and $816,698 in stake earnings.

Oliver has had a fruitful summer carnival in Tasmania, also winning the Listed Bow Mistress Stakes (1200m) with Dollops at Hobart last Saturday week.

And he could pick up another prize with Royal Ida who could run in the Listed George Adams Plate (1600m) at Launceston on February 21.

"He could run in that race but we'll look at our options with him in set weights and penalties races in Melbourne," Oliver said.

Oliver had Royal Ida ferried across Bass Strait last Friday night with the Anthony Cummings-trained Zavite who finished seventh in Monday's Hobart Cup.

Picture: Sportpix