Sunshine Coast husband and wife duo John Symons and Sheila Laxon reveal Knight’s Choice winter carnival

Husband and wife duo John Symons and Sheila Laxon have opted to scratch Knight’s Choice from Saturday’s Group 2 Victory Stakes as they reveal their long form winter carnival plans for their stable star.

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

Sunshine Coast training duo John Symons and Sheila Laxon will delay their leading runner’s return after scratching him from the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Knights Choice first burst onto the scene in July 2023 when producing a barnstorming win in the Group 3 Winx Guineas at Caloundra.

The son of Extreme Choice was quick to receive mammoth sale offers, including a $2.3 million bid from Hong Kong, but connections held tight on their rising star.

Since that victory, the four-year-old has added just one win to his resume but co-trainer John Symons said he isn’t phased.

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

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

“He went to Sydney for some big races and then returned home and won at Doomben and should’ve probably won his last start at Eagle Farm,” Symons said.

“He got boxed in and didn’t get out until late but only got beat a short head on the line.”

On Tuesday Knight’s Choice trialled fourth over 1000m.

“He’s come back really well, he went to Kilcoy for a 1200m maiden and couldn’t win there so he wasn’t going to win his 1000m trial when they ran along quite well,” he said.

Knights Choice bolts in at Doomben for Sunshine Coast trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon. Picture: Grant Peters - Trackside Photography

“We nominated for Saturday in case the trials got called off due to the weather so we’ll hold him a little longer and he might even go to the mile first-up.

“The weather has made it difficult to get our horses ready but we’re just looking at our options currently.”

With five wins and one placing from his eight career starts over 1600m, Symons said he was excited for the upcoming prep.

“I’m happy with how he finished on Tuesday but we’ll see how he pulls up before we lock away some plans for this prep,” he said.

“We’re not quite sure what we want to do yet but we want to make sure we get it right.”