Knoydart's Victory Bid

Time/Date - 15.17hrs local time/Saturday, April 25, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Gold Coast/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f

Knoydart drops down to Group Two company for the six-furlong SMEG Victory Stakes at Gold Coast, Australia on Saturday, April 25.

The John O'Shea-trained sprinter stayed on to take sixth, beaten three lengths in total, in the Group One Canadian Club Galaxy Stakes over five and a half furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.

He was fourth on his first appearance for nine months in the Group Two Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes over five furlongs at Royal Randwick on March 7, and took fifth in the Group One James Boag's Doomben 10,000 over just short of seven furlongs at Doomben in May.

The five-year-old was third in two of Australia's top Group One sprints last season - the six-furlong Lexus Newmarket Handicap at Flemington and Caulfield's Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate over half a furlong shorter.

John O'Shea commented: "Knoydart has been racing in much stronger races than this - he is one of the higher-rated horses in the race and a genuine Group race competitor.

"There is good speed in the race and, from gate two, he should have the opportunity to camp on his rivals. I will be disappointed if he doesn't fight out the finish."

Knoydart, with Hugh Bowman in the saddle, opposes 10 including the 2012 Galaxy victor Temple Of Boom, Group One third Srikandi and Listed winner Ball Of Muscle.