Dunn to choose Hawkes over wife’s horse

Dwayne Dunn will ditch the ride on his wife’s horse in the Caulfield Guineas if he is asked to mount up on Hawkes Racing’s Chautauqua in the world’s richest turf race.

Royal Symphony’s trainer Tony McEvoy said he had briefly spoken to the colt’s regular rider about a potential clash between the Caulfield Guineas and The Everest on October 14.

Dunn is favoured to take the ride on world’s leading sprinter in the $10 million race after Tommy Berry, his usual jockey in Sydney, unsuccessfully attempted to get leave from his commitments in Hong Kong that weekend.

A group of 14, led by Dunn’s wife Amanda, owns Royal Symphony who is the early favourite for the Guineas.

“If John Hawkes wants Dwayne to go to Sydney, he’ll go,” McEvoy told RSN on Thursday.

“Dwayne is committed to the Hawkes stable so if that comes about, (the owners) will think about a new rider.”

McEvoy considers the three-year-old unbeaten colt to be as good, if not better than, stablemate Hey Doc who won the Australian Guineas earlier this year.

Hey Doc’s rider Luke Currie may be the beneficiary of the race clash with McEvoy certain to put his name forward to the owners.

“I think Luke is a high-class rider and he would be my choice if it were to come down to me,” he said.

Royal Symphony is expected to prepare for the Caulfield Guineas with runs in the Exford Plate on September 16 and the Bill Stutt Stakes on September 29.