Royal Aussie (pink sleeves) just holds on from a charging Cousin Casey (purple cap) (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Royal Aussie’s L’Ormarins King’s Plate third place made him the horse to beat in today’s Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes, especially considering the fine turn of foot he showed that day, and he duly obliged albeit by a fast diminishing 0,25 lengths from an unlucky Cousin Casey.
Acceleration is a valuable asset at Hollywoodbets Greyville’s tight track and Royal Aussie’s apparent failure to stay the WSB Met trip, also suggested he would be at home coming down to the 1400m trip.
The hopelessy outclassed 70-rated Archimides went to the front and Richard Fourie opted to bounce Royal Aussie out from draw one and take him handy, opposite to the tactic which had been employed on him in the King’s Plate, although he did lie handy last time out when winning the Listed Jet Master Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Splashout Cape Derby day.
Humdinger was on the leader’s quarters with Gladatorian behind him.
Cousin Casey sat behind Royal Aussie.
Fourie sent Royal Aussie for home at the top of the straight and Humdinger did not waste time either, while Gladatorian went for his run on the outside of the latter.
Royal Aussie turned it on well and soon had the measure of Humdinger.
Meanwhile, Cousin Casey was crying out for racing room, but the gap between Humdinger and Gladatorian closed and he had to be steadied for a few strides which could have been costly.
He also had to force himself through the gap when Gladatorian leant on to him.
However, he was flying at the finish and was only denied by a quarter of a length in the end. It was a welcome return to form for the four-year-old Vercingetorix colt , who had set Hollywoodbets Greyville alight as a two-year-old but whose relative downturn in form since reached a zenith when he was eased out of the race in the Gr 1 World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge.
Gladatorian was beaten 0,55 lengths into third and a further length back was Gimmeanotherchance who ran on well from last.
Al Muthana came from near the back for a 2,65 length fifth.
Humdinger was disappointing in sixth place over her ideal trip.
Archimides was well beaten in 9th and Waterberry Lane pulled early and was then caught wide and finished nearly 17 lengths back.
Jonathan Snaith said about Royal Aussie’s win, “He was given a near perfect ride by Richard under the conditions i.e. a strong tailwind and not much pace. He will go for the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge next.”
Royal Aussie has had a lucratrive career, being the winner of the inaugural R7.5 millon Gold Rush, and icreased his earnings to R5,813,550.
The Royal Mo gelding was bred by Klawervlei Stud and is owned by Suzette Viljoen, Dr Jill Warner and DA Squance.
