Clearly having plenty of ability as evident by his victory in the G1 ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) last October, the Ciaron Maher trained Royal Supremacy (IRE) may have surprised a few with an impressive all the way victory in Saturday’s $1.5m G2 BRC Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Third in his most recent two starts both at G3 level including last time out behind today’s G2 BRC Brisbane Cup (3200m) winner Alalcance (GB) when contesting the G3 BRC Premier’s Cup (2400m), the Australian Bloodstock colour-bearer appeared to have no issues with the slight drop back in trip.
With noted leader Pride Of Jenni withdrawn on race morning, Royal Supremacy went forward from barrier eight in the field of nine, and while he raced wide passing the winning post for the fort time, jockey Mark Zhara eventually found the lead, going forward to settle about four lengths clear, in what may have proven the winning move.
2025 G1 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, who jumped away the race favourite, settled with just two behind him in the run, while 2024 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice was one behind him.
Although Royal Supremacy came back to the field ever so slightly, it was only momentary as Zahra kicked up again, putting some more pace into the race where he held a five length margin heading into the straight.
With nothing really appearing as if it would get close in the run to the line, it was the Peter and Katherine Coleman trained race outsider Pounding (Exceed And Excel) who made up the most ground, finishing a length and three quarters off Royal Supremacy who took the race in style.
Having not managed to win a race since his success in the 2023 G1 Golden Rose, the Chris Waller trained Militarize (NZ) ran another honest race, finishing third, more than two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner and a half length ahead of race favourite Half Yours who secured fourth.
With Ciaron Maher’s Pride Of Jenni withdrawn, resulting in the speed now taken from the race, the decision was made to send Royal Supremacy forward.
“Great job,” said Maher. “He's thrived up here again.”
“He's been at Tony Gollan's place and he's improved each start. There was no speed on paper when Pride Of Jenni came out and he can be a bit of a terror to ride so after a little but of deliberation before the race, we thought it would be better to work with him than fighting him for 2000-metres.
“He got into a nice rhythm and we're both (Maher and Zahra) heading off to England tonight, so it'll be a good trip over there.
“He's a group one winner before today for Australian Bloodstock. Fantastic.
“We thought he would drag himself through it (the ground) because he can get on the bit. It is tough to make ground today so we thought with no speed, they probably wouldn't worry about him too much and that is how it worked out."
Having now ridden him in his last three starts, Mark Zahra indicated that he felt the horse never completely settled in the run.
“He never completely drops the bit,” said Zahra. “He was good enough out front but from the 700 or 600, I thought there was no way anything can beat me the way he quickens.
“It was a very good win and he could have gone another lap, too."
When asked how he would perform over 3200m, having already failed at the trip in last year’s Melbourne Cup, Zahra felt he may be better suited at the trip of Saturday’s race.
“I think trying to rate him over two miles is the hardest thing. If he continues to mature, you might be able to rate him but I think 2200 is probably big enough for him.”
Royal Supremacy started life in Ireland and was a 65,000 guineas purchase from the Ballylinch Stud draft at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 by JS Bloodstock and Andrew Balding.
Still relatively lightly raced, the 5yo gelding has the overall record of six wins and seven placings from 19 starts with ernings just shy of $2m.
A half-brother to stakes winner Adelaise, being the best of four winners from four foals to race from Adelasia, a winning half-sister by Iffraaj to the G2 winner Fight Club and the G3 winner Flambo, Royal Supremacy is one of three G1 winners for Makfi stallion Make Believe, who stands at Ballylinch Stud at a fee of 10,000 euros.
