With the blustery South Easter tapering off slightly, Winning Form jockey Raymond Danielson rode a well-judged race from the front to steer the Glen Kotzen-trained Royals to a smooth victory in the R180 000 non black-type Prestige Plate at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
The first of three features on a windswept sundrenched October afternoon at the Country Course, the Prestige Plate saw only 5 starters after scratchings, but made up for the lack of numbers by producing a rousing finish, and a mild Pick 6 knocker.
A pleased Raymond Danielson shows his joy after a super ride (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
With recent Listed Irridescence Stakes winner Beach Bomb starting at 5-10, ‘Stingray’ Danielson capitalized on the lack of pace in the small field, and said that, while he had to push to get her to lead, when Royals changed legs at the 400m, he knew it would take a good one to get her.
Despite Beach Bomb’s efforts, Royals had a length to spare at the line and clocked 85,17 secs for the 1400m.
Summer Lily (25-2) was a further 0,40 lengths back in third.
Clearly Royals was a different proposition after the heavy going in the Irridescence Stakes, and she looks a filly worth staying with into the summer.
Royals charges clears under Raymond Danielson
Now a winner of 2 races with 1 place from 8 starts, Royals took her stakes earnings to R249 575.
Purchased by the astute Glen Kotzen for R100 00 off the 2022 BSA Cape Yearling Sale, Royals was bred by Narrow Creek Stud and is a daughter of the recently relocated Trippi stallion Gold Standard out of the one-time winning Var mare, Royal Sensation.
Breeders John and Rene Everett showed their confidence by retaining a share in the good-looking filly and race her with Solly Bhana and Glen Kotzen.
Drakenstein Stud and the shareholders in Gold Standard recently decided to give the sire a new opportunity at the historic Vogel Vlei Stud.
Earlier this month his daughter Golden Hostess won the Gr3 Hollywoodbets Diana Stakes at a similarly windy Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Enjoy the replay:
