A change of tactics and headgear did the trick for the talented 4yo Pathfork gelding Royal Victory who finished with a wet sail to win the R90 000 non black-type PinkDrive Michaelmas Handicap at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and reinforce his aspirations for a berth in the starting line-up for the R5 million Betway Summer Cup on 25 November.
A class act on his day, and just off the best as a 3yo, trainer Nathan Kotzen chose to drop the blinkers and instructed Calvin Habib to drop Royal Victory out at his first try at 1900m.
Calvin Habib glances across from the rail on Royal Victory as Pirate Prince (Muzi Yeni in red and gold) and Cape Eagle (Robert Khathi) stay on well (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
The plan worked a charm and it was an emotional victory on a wonderful day in the fight against the scourge of breast cancer for part-owner Peter Victor, who lost his daughter to cancer eight years ago and had his own struggles against cancer last year.
Peter travelled down from Johannesburg for the thrilling victory and will harbour great hopes of having his first serious Summer Cup candidate.
Tried over a mile and below for much of his career, Royal Victory languished in the rear and came from last into the straight, showing courage as he took a tight gap down the inside rail.
The gelding started at 8-1 and held off the handily weighted Pirate Prince (8-1) by a head in a time of 115,75 secs.
Long-time pacemaker Cape Eagle (9-2) ran around a bit in the closing stages and appeared to hamper the 18-10 favourite Addabar, who was forced to check late and ran just out of the money.
Addabar was quickening gradually, but it is difficult to see him having won the race, even with a clear passage.
Bred by Ambiance Stud, Royal Victory is by Ridgemont’s Distorted Humor stallion Pathfork, Ireland’s Champion 2YO Colt of 2010, and is out of the four-time winning Kahal mare, Kailani.
An astute R90 000 buy off the National Yearling Sale, he has now won 3 races with 6 places from 14 starts for stakes of R761 250.
The Hollywood Syndicate enjoyed a terrific day with three winners on the pink dominated afternoon.
Richard Fourie also enjoyed a treble and chipped away at Muzi Yeni’s lead, making up two winners on the afternoon.
Enjoy the replay:
