Royes Relishes Full Time Training with Winning Double

Townsville trainer Steven Royes is finally fulfilling a dream as a full time trainer.

The former Mt Isa-based mine worker felt vindicated with his decision to go full time into training five weeks ago with a winning double at Cluden Park yesterday.

The expending Royes stable scored with roughie Single Honor for western grazier Clarrie Hermann, and the promising filly Catalina Dreaming for prolific owner Tom Hedley.

“I’m finished at the mines. I’ve been here about five weeks now. It’s just too hard to train them from out there,” Royes said.

“I’ve got six for Tom Hedley and about six to come in. But I’ve got these few for Clarrie too, he’s a good old mate.

“I just took them on spec. But really I just want to train for Tom. 

“He’s a good bloke too and he looks after me.

“Training full time has been my dream forever but there just hasn’t been the opportunity.

“Tom has given me the opportunity, and Clarrie, and it’s something that you’ve got to grab.

For 25 years Royes mixed work at Mt Isa Mines with training horses to race on the expansive western circuit before making a lifestyle choice to shift to Townsville in 2022.

After landing a string of winners with a limited team, Royes attracted the attention of Tom Hedley and it wasn’t long before the chance to finally end the constant travel to the mines to become a full time trainer.

Catalina Dreaming is Royes’ latest winner in the Hedley colours and he’s confident the Mikki Isle filly can advance further after her impressive win in the Ladbrokes 3YO Mdn Hcp(1000M) for apprentice Gabrielle Semmens.

“I think she’ll be a nice little filly. She’s only had the two runs and I think she’ll improve on that,” Royes said.

“She probably wants 1200m and may get a bit further with the breeding.

“I thought she was pretty impressive first-up. I had to go with the claimer (Semmens) because she’s only tiny.

“But she rode her good.

“The other fella Single Honor was good leading today. He was sent to me by my old mate Clarrie (Herman). He was with Nick Walsh in Rockhampton and you won’t improve them from there. He’s a very good trainer. Very hard to beat him.

“Single Honour’s probably a bit of a thinker. I put the nose roll on him and he seems to be concentrating better.

“It’s always good when I can train a winner for Clarrie.”

Meanwhile consistent galloper Focus broke through for ma well-deserved win in the Memberships on Sale Open Hcp (1000m) for trainer Alby Molino.

Focus staved off a late rally from the luckless Bold Hunter to score by three quarters of a length and notch his sixth career win.

Jockey Adrian Layt continued his winning run with a ground saving ride on Flaming Homer in the Ladbrokes BM 55 Hcp (1200m).

Layt bided his time in a trailing role behind the leaders and timed his run perfectly to win on Flaming Homer who was having his first run in six weeks.

The Home Hill-trained Bringyaticket again proved popular with punters when was one of the few winners to come from back in the field to take out the Ladbrokes BM58 Hcp (1000m).

Bringyaticket has now won four of his nine starts on his rise through the grades.

Pictured: Steven Royes with Single Honor after claiming the Prosecco Hour March 5th BM65 Hcp (1400m) at Cluden Park yesterday.

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