Form around Ozzmosis and King’s Gambit was good enough for the Snitzel colt Royal Tribute to open his stakes account in the Listed Sneddon Brothers Gosford Guineas (1200m) at Gosford on Thursday.
Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Royal Tribute controlled the race from the front.
The I Am Invincible filly Infatuation levelled up at the 200m, but Royal Tribute has more to offer and scrambled in by a half-head.
The Trapeze Artist colt Flying Trapeze was a length back in third.
Royal Tribute advances his record to two wins and a second from five starts with earnings of $207,925.
Adam Hyeronimus said the son of Snitzel will head to the Gold Coast for the $3,000,000 Magic Millions 3yo Guineas on January 13.
“The biggest thing is for him to settle. He’s still learning, and by the time I got him to settle, we were at the 600m, and it was time to get going,” Hyeronimus said.
‘When the other horse challenged us, he picked up, fought hard, and found the line like we know he can.
“He’s a talented colt and well on his way to the Magic Millions (Guineas).
“He is getting better with each preparation, and seeing him do that today was pleasing.
“That will knock the wind out of his sails a bit, which might help him relax, which might be important heading to the Gold Coast on a hot day”
A $500,000 purchase for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds from the Kia Ora Stud draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Royal Tribute is the first foal of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Jennifer Lynette, a Group III winner at Woodbine.
Sporting the yellow, white checked sash and checked sleeves of Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Royal Tribute is raced by a syndicate that includes his breeder.
He is the first foal of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Jennifer Lynnette (CAN), a Group III winner in Canada and a granddaughter of the outstanding Strategic Maneuver (USA), whose five wins from ten starts included the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes.
A granddaughter of the champion mare Strategic Maneuver (USA), Jennifer Lynette, was a $575,000 purchase for Kia Ora Stud at the 2018 Fasig Tipton November Sale.
After a couple of heartbreaking seasons, Jennifer Lynette foaled a Farnan colt on August 18.
Royal Tribute is the 140th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel and his sixth of the season.
