First Stakes Win for Royal Success (NZ)

Highly rated galloper Royal Success (NZ) (Savabeel), who fetched big prices in his two trips through the Karaka sale ring, took a big step forward in his racing career with a first black-type win in Saturday’s $70,000 Group 3 J Swap Contractors Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.

Making just his 12th start, the five-year-old gelding recorded his sixth most significant win. Rider Cameron Lammas had the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained runner trailing the leaders for most of the race, then surging into contention after the field rounded the home turn.

The biggest danger proved to be his own stablemate, fast-finishing fellow Karaka graduate Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel), but Royal Success fought gamely to the line to score by a head.

Bred by the late Jim Campin at Chequers Stud, Royal Success has now won more than $120,000 in prize-money for his owners the Te Akau Royal Success Syndicate.

His dam is the multiple Listed winner Royal Show (NZ) (Deputy Governor), whose other five winning offspring include the three-time Australian Group winner Folding Gear (NZ) (Johar).