TRANS TASMAN WINNERS: A Royal Performance

Scoring on Geelong Cup Day, Royal Rendezvous (4 g Royal Meeting – Alana’s Party, by Exceed and Excel) won the A$50,000 Hall Chadwick Benchmark 66 1100 metres on 21 October at Geelong - coming off four on the ballot!

A half-brother to Te Akau purchased and trained four-time stakes' winner Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), Royal Rendezvous produced a terrific performance when winning on debut as a three-year-old. He also recently ran the fastest last 600m (33.5) when coming from last to finish second in the Class 1 1100 metres on 28 September at Kilmore, and just required luck from the outside gate (13).

Ridden by Champion Victorian jockey Blake Shinn, Royal Rendezvous travelled third last on a genuine pace, was seven lengths off the leaders at the 600m, but tracked up nicely turning for home and produced his customary strong finish to win.

“It was a great effort after he put the writing on the wall first-up,” said Shinn, who rode Damask Rose (Savabeel) for Te Akau to win the inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (Restricted Listed, 1500m).

“I had a really good run from that draw (13) and he showed the same turn of foot that he’s always possessed. 

“It’s a great thrill to win for Te Akau, Mark (Walker) and Ben (Gleeson), they’ve got a wonderful team around them and do a great job. And I’m sure, the big boss in New Zealand, DC (David Ellis) would be delighted with that, too, so it’s fantastic.

“He’s got a great sort of demeanour and ability, very push button. He’s a no fuss horse, just a beautiful individual, a pleasure to ride and I think he has nice scope for improvement.”

“That’s a double for Te Akau,” said commentator Matt Hill, referring to Cease And Desist (Zoustar) winning 15 minutes earlier at Te Aroha.

On Good4 footing, Royal Rendezvous ran 1100 metres in 1:04.4, last 600m in 34.3, and held in betting to pay $3.60 & $170 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was terrific to get that win with him, today, and the ride by Blake Shinn was 10 out of 10,” Walker said. “He’s a class jockey, who fought hard through rehabilitation after his injury last year to get back to the peak of his riding ability. 

“The owners have patient with this horse. He’s always promised quite a bit and now starting to put together a nice record.”

On course, assistant trainer Ben Gleeson added: “He was a little bit nervous, but that’s just his racing pattern. He (Shinn) left him alone, got into the three-wide train at the right time, and he’s made up a lot of ground.

“We’ve been trying to bide our time and place him right, but he’ll get to City class off that. 

“There are some great owners in this horse and we appreciate their patience, and hopefully that will be a springboard for him to get to Metropolitan grade. He’s a horse I’d love to see down the straight at Flemington.”

Purchased by Sir David Ellis for $280,000 at the 2024 Inglis Melbourne Yearling Sale, from the draft of Newhaven Park, Royal Rendezvous is owned by Te Akau Royal Revels Racing Partnership (Mgr: Lady Karyn Ellis MNZM), Seymour Bloodstock (D Thomas), Mr P W Lord, Equine Ventures Ltd (R Dunnett), and Mr M Pilkington, and has now recorded two wins and placed twice from seven starts. 

Royal Rendezvous is from the second crop of European Group One winning two-year-old Royal Meeting (Invincible Spirit), and a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), who Sir David purchased as a yearling at Karaka. 

Like Bellatrix Star, Royal Rendezvous carries a bloodline cross to Danzig, on the sire-lines of both Royal Meeting and Alana’s Party. 

Dam Alana’s Party is by Australian Champion Sire and leading broodmare sire Exceed and Excel (Danehill), who made a name for himself over two decades of world racing and breeding – just an extraordinary sire whose winners numbered over 1800 and 215 stakes winners.  

Grand-dam The Party Stand, by Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) winner Thorn Park (Spinning World), was an impressive winner from 1200m – 2000m, at her best around middle distances and her wins included the Group 1 N.Z. Stakes (2000m). 

At the time of purchasing Royal Rendezvous, Sir David said: “Like Bellatrix Star, he is a very strong and athletic young horse and we’re excited being able to buy him. 

“He’s a really natural and muscular type of colt, not overdone in the preparation, presented by a farm that does a fantastic job, and he's simply very nicely put together.”

Royal Rendezvous was strapped by Adrian Hug.