Royal Request prevails in 2017 Darwin Cup

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 7

It was fourth time lucky for Royal Request who carried topweight to victory in Monday's $200,000 Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay.

Advertisement
Royal Request and Jarrod Todd. Photo: Neil Dyer Racing

The Neil Dyer-trained seven-year-old son of Bel Esprit had contested the dirt race the previous three years with a best effort of second in 2015 but made no mistake this time under Jarrod Todd, coming from midfield at halfway to finish powerfully in the home straight.

Royal Request ($8) ran to the front 250m out and drew away to defeat Saturday Sorceror ($21) by three lengths with Lieder (7.50) a head away third.

Billet Doux started the well backed $3.20 favourite but never threatened, making up some ground late to be beaten more than 10 lengths into fifth place.

Todd paid tribute to his friend and jockey Roger Booth who passed away from a heart attack following a race at Fannie Bay in July after riding a horse for Dyer.

"This is what we come up here for and I had Roger Booth, a great mate of mine, on my back for this one," Todd told Sky Racing.

"You couldn't fault the horse coming into the race - I love him, I came here in my first year and won the Derby (Northern Territory) on him.

"He's just an out and out dirt horse and he's the real deal."

Todd said he was lucky to be able to get some cheap runs under 60.5kg.

"I was tracking into it at the 700(m) and I kept getting runs but I was three deep at the time so I went back in," Todd said.

"With the weight I just had to keep taking the runs - if I could help him and save a bit of ground then I would.

"All credit goes to the horse - he's a champion."

It was the third win in the race for Dyer who said he went into the race thinking he had the best horse.

"I thought he was the best horse in the race, I was a bit worried when he got the penalty from the Metric Mile last start but he's big and strong and it didn't worry him that much," Dyer said.

"The horse lived up to what we thought he could do and Jarrod deserves a Darwin Cup.

"We've had a rough old time with Roger (Booth) this year but we're thinking of him today."

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
$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.
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.
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Weighty issue in Royal Request’s Darwin Cup pursuit
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.
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.