A Royal Success Indeed

It was no real surprise to see Royal Success (4 g Savabeel - Royal Show, by Deputy Governor) deliver fresh up in the $30,000 Wallaceville Estate Premier Rating 85 1400 metres on a Group One day at Trentham.

Ending his previous campaign with a hat-trick of wins, and unlucky on debut at his only other start, Royal Success had beaten some good horses along the way and the two preparatory trial fields, finishing second and third respectively, included a few talented types.

Accepted to resume off 168 days last Saturday at Wanganui, he travelled away only to have the meeting abandoned, and after more time on the road his chances of racing began to unravel at the start.

After bursting through the gates on loading and breaking free, he was then understandably reluctant to re-enter, but the long story cut short is that he raced and won.

Into third on a competitive pace, jockey Matt Cameron had him breast up alongside the leader, Henree Winkler (Rip Van Winkle), at the 600m and gained the upper hand over the final 100m as the pair drew clear of their opponents.

What made the victory even more compelling was that Royal Success, rated 72, was racing outside his rightful Rating 75 grade.

Possibly because of the commotion surrounding him, he drifted in the market from an early fixed odds quote of $4.60 & $1.75 to return $6.20 & $2.00 on the tote.  On a beautiful Dead4 surface, Royal Success ran the 1400 metres in a good quality time: 1:22.9.

“It was a stressful start, but it ended well and it was a great way to start the day,” said David Ellis, who purchased the horse for the Te Akau Royal Success Syndicate.

“I bought this horse at the [NZB] Ready to Run Sale and on buying him I told the owners they would have to be patient, and that he would grow and develop into a really good horse.  Like a lot of Savabeel's he likes the tracks around a Dead4, not too hard, and the patience shown by the owners is going to be rewarded.

“I thought he really dug in today and deserved the win."

Ellis also paid tribute not only to trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, but also travelling staff and jockey Matt Cameron.

“Two of my best team members, Teina Walter and Milou Grylls, took the (five) horses down to Trentham, and it always excites me to see two young people that work so hard, get the results.

“Steve and Jamie were adamant that he had come through the trip to Wanganui without any worries, and that he could go to Trentham.

“After Matt falling off at the start and also having fallen off Paradise Rock on Thursday at New Plymouth, it goes to show how tough these jockeys are.

“They're only little but they're tough,” Ellis said.

Richards said that Royal Success would now head towards the $80,000 Dunstan Feeds Rising Stars Championship Final over 1500 metres on Boxing Day at Ellerslie.

“He's a pretty good horse in the making and obviously his form last prep was good as well,” Richards said.

“His work at home had been strong, and although it was heart in the mouth stuff whether he would get a start, or not, I'm really glad for the owners to see him do that today as we do think he's a serious horse.  He's bred to get a little bit further, but I think a mile is pretty good for him at the moment."

Matt Cameron said: “The horse has all the amounts of ability.  He was a bit fresh, but it probably did him the world of good to have a bit of blow out before the race.

“He dried out, wasn't sweating much, but it was the second time, when he refused to go in, that was the worry, but the (barrier) boys did a good job around at the gates: got him in there, held him, let him go, and he raced well.

“He can be a bit difficult to get on the outside leg, to really let down, and still a big baby, but he's got all the amount of ability in the world,” Cameron said.

Royal Success was strapped by Teina Walters.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz