What a shame Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) will not be returning to Aquis Farm this year as he had a red-letter day at The Curragh on Saturday with Romanised winning the Group II Minstrel Stakes while the 2yo colt Roman Turbo keeping his record at a perfect two for two in the Group III Anglesey Stakes.
Romanised was winning for the first time since his surprise defeat of US Navy Flag in the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas a year ago.
Ridden by Billy Lee for trainer Ken Condon, Romanised came with a barnstorming finish to defeat the favourite Hey Gaman (New Approach) by a length with Safe Voyage (Fast Company) half a length back in third.
"It's lovely to see that. He's been in good shape this year," Condon told Sporting Life.
"He had two lovely runs in Group One company (this season) and appreciated dropping in grade. Billy was delighted with him and said when the gap came he quickened up very smartly.
"He said when he got to the front he was always just doing enough. He's gone very professional this year, more relaxed and easier to deal with. I thought it was a lovely performance.
"I'm pleased because you are nearly on a hiding to nothing, you're nearly expected to win and you'd be hoping that it works out like that, but it rarely does in racing.
"He'll come out of the race well and he'll go the Jacques le Marois next."
A three-quarter brother to the 2013 and 2014 Hong Kong Horse Of The Year, Designs On Rome (Holy Roman Emperor), Romanised is one of three stakes-winners out of the Indian Ridge mare Romantic Venture after Group III winner Rock Of Romance (Rock Of Gibraltar) and dual Listed winner Fictional Account (Stravinsky).
While Romanised seems to have miraculously evaded the clutches of Hong Kong, it may be a different story for Roman Turbo (image Sporting Life).
The Michael Halford-trained colt defeatedStarspangledbanner's daughter Lil Grey by three-quarters of a length in the Group III Anglesey Stakes.
Roman Turbo was coming off a maiden win at his career debut at Kildare three weeks previously.
"We are never particularly hard on the two-year-olds at home, but we'd knew he'd come forward," said Halford.
"Ronan (Whelan) sat on him at the Curragh the other morning and said he felt great. We said we'd find out more here.
"He's a smart horse, very professional. He just jumps and is very straightforward. He's coming forward well.
"He wasn't in any of the big races so we'll have to talk to his owner and see what he has in mind for him.
"I'd say long-term he'll probably end up in Hong Kong."
The 81ststakes-winner or Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), Roam Turbo is a half-brother to the Listed Moonee Valley Night Cup and Listed MRC (Mornington) Harry White Classic winner Swacadelic (Adlerflug) out of an unraced sister to the 4-time Group 1 winner Shirocco (Monsun).
Holy Roman Emperor (image Mark Smith ) has 85 rising two-year-olds and 50 rising yearlings. The dual Group 1 winning son of Danehill covered 67 mares at Aquis Farm last spring.
