Move to full-time training paying off for Royes

By Glenn Davis

A brave decision made almost two years ago has paid off in spades for Townsville trainer Steven Royes.

Royes was a hobby trainer with a secure job working as a supervisor in the Mount Isa mines when he took the biggest gamble of his life and walked away to take up training full-time in Townsville.

With a wife and young family in toe, Royes headed to the North Queensland coast to improve their quality of life and schooling for his children. 

Royes once boasted he could always return to work in the mines if his training venture failed.

However, the 59-year-old now has a stable of 17 in work at Wulguru, which backs on to Townsville’s Cluden Park racetrack, and has no plans other to continue his profession as a full-time trainer.

He boasts a strike-rate of 12.9% with 21 winners from 163 starters for the current season.

Royes will saddle up three runners on his home track in Townsville on Tuesday including That’s It in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1000 metres.

That’s It has only had one start for Royes when he won a 1000 metre Class 1 Handicap event at Townsville on May 6.

The son of Smart Missile was previously trained by Roy Chillemi and is raced by Tom Hedley.

“I train around 10 to 12 horses for Tom and the others are owned by my wife and a few close family friends,” Royes said.

“I got my trainer’s licence in 1986 and I’ve mucked around with horses for about 30 years with my sister Shryn who also is a trainer.”

Royes is hopeful of another strong showing from That’s It who could be aimed for the upcoming Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

“Roy (Chillemi) has a very good opinion of him and I had him for about two months before he won last start,” Royes said.

“We’ve set two races in mind for him and if he wins, he’ll step up to some of the better races in the winter.

“His win at Townsville last time was a big ask as he drew bad and was having his first run since June last year.

“He’s got two kilos more than the second topweight this time, which is a concern, but he’s improved and has come on a lot since his last run.”