Weighty issue in Royal Request’s Darwin Cup pursuit

Tom Walter - Monday July 31

The Neil Dyer-trained Royal Request is facing a Darwin Cup weight penalty as he aims to become the fifth horse to complete the Metric Mile-Darwin Cup double since 2005.

Advertisement
Fannie Bay - home of the Darwin Cup. Photo: Darwin Turf Club

Royal Request lumped 59kg to a three-quarter length victory in last Saturday's $50,000 Metric Mile at Fannie Bay but could be tasked with 60kg for the $200,000 Darwin Cup in seven days' time.

"There's no doubt it was a good win, but it just means that he'll probably cop a penalty for the Cup," Dyer told NT News.

"I'm resigned to the fact that he may get a bit more weight for the Cup, but he proved once again how much he loves it here at Fannie Bay."

Former Darwin Cup winner Pretty Blonde finished fourth in traditional Darwin Cup lead-up race and has been handicapped on 57kg for the first Monday of August.

"Pretty Blonde has earned more prizemoney than Royal Request, yet my horse will more than likely be the top weight in the Cup," Dyer said.

"However, I do realise that Pretty Blonde is a mare and therefore won't have to carry as much weight.

"That's the way it is and I have no complaints."

Dyer has previously won the Northern Territory's signature race in 2011 and 2012 with Hawks Bay, a horse he says bears similarities to Royal Request.

Dyer is hoping it will be a matter of fourth time lucky for Royal Request as the gelding has contested the last three Darwin Cups for a 10th, second, and fourth.

Bookmakers are expected to install the son of Bel Esprit as favourite when the final field is declared on Thursday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yulong Top Buyers List as MM National Mares Concludes
The beautifully related Group performer Call Di has topped the second and final day of the 2025 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast selling for $2.1million.
$1.1million for Written Beauty - Bought for Farnan
She’s big and beautiful and on her way to Kia Ora Stud, who paid $1.1million for Written Beauty at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday.
$2.1million Frankel Mare - Samantha Miss Legacy Ignites MM National
Back in 2009, the most expensive mare sold in Australia was Champion 3YO Filly Samantha Miss, who was bought by John Singleton for $3.85million and today at the Magic Millions National Sale two of her daughters sold for $2.1million and $1.25million, both going to Yulong.
Miss Enfield in Foal to Wootton Bassett Sells for $1.25million
Wootton Bassett (GB) has had a hefty fee increase for his return to Coolmore Australia this spring in the wake of overwhelming worldwide success on the track, so blueblood Miss Enfield was an attractive package in foal to him in her first season at stud.
Tragedy Sparks Reinvestment for Cressfield - $1.3million Lilliesformillie (USA)
Elite Hunter Valley nursery Cressfield were back in buying mode at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday seeking to restock their stellar broodmare band after losing three G1 winning broodmares last year.
Yulong Purchase Another Oaks winner for $1.45million
Yulong are in the process of collecting paddocks full of Classic winners at their Victorian headquarters and added another at the Magic Millions National Sale on Wednesday when securing Lonhro’s VRC Oaks winner Aristia for $1.45million.
Stellar Pauline Sells for $1.15million
Widden Stud might be the home of Zoustar, but Antony Thompson has plenty of respect for reigning champion sire I Am Invincible and secured Stellar Pauline in foal to him for $1.15million at MM National on Wednesday.
Odinson tops May (Late) Sale at $160,000
The Listed Inglis Nursery winner Odinson topped today’s May (Late) Online Sale, selling to Pure Bloodstock for $160,000.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 28
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Dirty Work 2YO Dazzling Debut Winner
Widden Stud’s young Written Tycoon son Dirty Work had an impressive debut winner on Wednesday for the Phillip Stokes stable.