Shryn Royes closing in on best season for winners

By Glenn Davis

Richmond trainer Shryn Royes has a long way to go to eclipse her previous high mark of 30 winners in a season.

But, with four months of the season remaining there’s still hope, starting with the Mount Isa meeting on Friday.

Royes’ best training result came in season 2024-25 and with 18 winners already this season, a personal best is within reach.

Royes will have starters in almost every race on Mount Isa’s seven-card program and she is confident of edging closer to her best tally.

Originally from Julia Creek, Royes trained in Mount Isa in the early days and has been based at Richmond for the past 18 years.

“It’s a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Richmond to Mount Isa,” Royes said.

Royes is enjoying another good season and is currently striking at almost 10%.

Royes rates Mia Toretto in the Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1200 metres and Sweet Fantasy in the Ratings Band 0 - 50 Handicap over 1000 metres as two strong chances from her stable.

Part-owned by Royes, Mia Toretto has started six times since joining the stable for two wins including her last start victory at Cloncurry on March 28.

“She’s a nice mare who won well last start and she looks to have another good chance in this,” Royes said.

“Sweet Fantasy is another strong chance of mine.”

Sweet Fantasy will step out for her sixth start for Royes after winning four times for her previous trainer Kevin Hansen in Rockhampton.

The six-year-old daughter of Invader is yet to win for Royes but has been placed at her past two starts, both at Mount Isa.

She ran third, beaten almost five lengths, in a 900 metre Benchmark 50 race on March 7 before a last start third to the Tanya Parry-trained Polly Hoffa in a similar class over 900 metres on March 21.