John Symons and Sheila Laxon uncover Melbourne plan for star gelding

Winning Winx Guineas trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon have revealed their Spring carnival plans for their star gelding following countless overseas offers.

Trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons and apprentice jockey Jaden Lloyd. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

Sunshine Coast trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon are planning for their star gelding’s future following a stunning Winx Guineas victory at Corbould Park on Saturday, July 1.

At the beginning of May, Knight’s Choice could not win an average Kilcoy maiden but that has quickly changed after being victorious in his last four races and the winner of the Group 3 Winx Guineas.

The star three-year-old gelding beat home Fashion Legend and Grebeni to claim the 2023 title and has quickly announced himself as a leading spring carnival contender.

Symons trains in a partnership with his partner Sheila Laxon, who was a history-maker when winning the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double with Ethereal in 2001.

KNIGHT'S CHOICE WINS THE WINX GUINEAS 🏆 @SymonsLaxonpic.twitter.com/d3a7KfL2PP

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 1, 2023

“It’s nice to have a nice horse back in the stable,” Symons said.

“I don’t suppose we could’ve hoped to win a better race, to me that’s the most prestigious race to win at the Sunshine Coast and we were able to pull it off so we’re very happy.

“When you look back just a few weeks to those maidens I suppose it’s the old saying you come from the sh--house to the penthouse.”

Symons said the owners of Knight’s Choice have already knocked back a series of offers to buy the gelding.

“There’s been massive offers for him from Hong Kong,” he said

“The owners want to keep him at this stage, there’s no thought of selling him.”

Knight's Choice wins the Group 3 Winx Guineas on the Sunshine Coast for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons and apprentice jockey Jaden Lloyd. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

Symons said the horse would now take a well-earned rest before being prepared for the spring carnival

“He goes for a spell now and then Sheila and I will map out a Melbourne plan before the Magic Millions,” he said.

Jockey Jaden Lloyd is striking at a 27.8 win and 47.2 place percentage when riding for Symons and Laxon this season.

Symons said it was a well earned victory after Lloyd had been successful aboard Knight’s Choice the start prior.

“It’s fantastic for Jaden, he outrode his claim when he won on him at the midweek Doomben meeting and then to win his first group race aboard is fantastic,” he said.

“He’s done a great job for us, his striking really well which is huge for everybody and a really good sit for the stable.”