A Right Royal Win

Te Akau Racing recorded two wins today at Counties - Hall of Fame in the 2YO event with Gingernuts runner up - Grazia and Linchpin were fourth in gritty performances too ... here is our second win for the day with Royal Success ...

Promising galloper Royal Success (3 g Savabeel - Royal Show, by Deputy Governor) avoided trouble to win the Placemakers Pukekohe Maiden 1400 metres on 5 May at Pukekohe, and provide jockey Matt Cameron with his fourth win for the day.

Unlucky on debut at his previous start, when no gaps presented in the straight at Woodville, Cameron was conscious of keeping away from the rail in fifth and let stride into contention at the 350m Royal Success established a winning break.

Scoring by one and a half lengths, in 1:25.5 (last 600m in 36.5) for the 1400 metres, Royal Success was bred by the late Jim Campin and purchased by David Ellis for the Te Akau Royal Success Syndicate.

“He never had everything go his way at Woodville, being stuck down on the inside and had no room, but he's a nice progressive staying sort of horse that should continue to improve and Matt (Cameron) gave him every chance today,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards.

Having won earlier in the day with two-year-old colt Hall of Fame, indicated a liking for the going by progeny of the Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel (Zabeel).

“These Savabeel's, some of them don't mind a little bit of chip out and he's been a horse that we've had to be patient with - a couple of little immaturity issues - so a bit of easing in the ground has been a big advantage with him.

His dam, Royal Show (Deputy Governor), was a stakes winner of four races up to 1400m and already left three time stakes winner Folding Gear (Johar) in Australia. Not dissimilar in his pedigree cross to Hall of Fame, who has Sir Tristram featuring on the sire and dam side, Royal Success has Sir Ivor (sire of champion stallion Sir Tristram) within the first five removes on each side of his pedigree.

“He's a horse I bought with a view to the 2000 Guineas and the Derby, but he wasn't quite ready for those sorts of races, they came up a bit soon, so Steve and Jamie very astutely said this is a horse we need to give some more time,” said David Ellis.

“So, he's been given the time and I thought he was a bit stiff last time and very impressive in winning today.

“Interestingly, a lot of the owners in Hall of Fame are also in Royal Success.

“One of the owners, Geoff Wilkinson, just texted me and said he'd had six runners this week for four wins and two seconds,” said Ellis.

Royal Success was strapped by Wiremu Pinn.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz