With James McDonald in the saddle and proven on a heavy track, punters rallied behind the two-year-old Snitzel colt Royalzel in Saturday’s E Group Security Hcp (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens, and it proved to be relatively painless.
The Gary Portelli-trained colt broke his maiden by three lengths on a heavy track over 1300m at Kembla Grange two starts back.
He was troubled fifth, beaten just over two and a half lengths, behind Cape Breton, over 1400m at Rosehill at his most recent start.
Held together last of the seven starters in the early stages, Royalzel made his challenge down the centre of the track. He defeated fellow Snitzel colt Deficit by one and a half lengths with Bull Point gelding Raging Bulla further one and a quarter lengths back in third.
“He’s done a marvellous job,” McDonald said.
“He gave me a really sweet ride. Gary has done a good job with him in the gates. He was first out, and I could have led on him, but I was happy to let him come back and let the speed go.
“When they backed it off in the mid-stages, I had to get going a little early. He has a great turn of foot and loved those conditions.”
Owned by Malcolm Russell, Royalzel was bred by Arrowfield Stud, who purchased his dam Royal Tithe for $300,000 through Freyer Bloodstock at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
A well-performed daughter of Show A Heart, Royal Tithe numbered the Group III Ken Russell Memorial Classic among her four wins while banking over $414,000.
Royal Tithe has a yearling sister to Royalzel and a weanling colt by The Autumn Sun. She was bred back to The Autumn Sun last spring.
Royalzel is the 16th 2yo winner of the season for Snitzel, just two behind the leader Capitalist.
