Royal Supremacy ($7.50), trained by Ciaron Maher, thrust his name onto a potential Melbourne Cup path with a tenacious victory in the Group 1 $750,000 Metropolitan at Randwick.
In a stirring finish, the five-year-old gelding held off race favourite Soul Of Spain ($4.80F) by three-quarters of a length, with stablemate Juja Kibo ($19) another short neck away in third on the quick seven-day turnaround.
Ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan, the son of European stallion Make Believe may now give his rider a live chance at back-to-back Cups, with Maher indicating that’s the logical next step.
“He just gets better with each run,” Maher said.
“He used to be a little bit aggressive in his races but with each race he’s starting to relax a little bit better.
“That’s what I said to Robbie, it’s just about getting the first half right and hopefully the second half will take care of itself.
“He’ll probably go to the Melbourne Cup I would imagine. He did a mile and a half quite well, so we’ll see if he can do two.”
Dolan—also known for his stint on TV show The Voice—outlined the challenge of getting down to the featherweight ride.
“It’s tough getting to 50kg when you’re nearly 30 years old,” Dolan said.
“It wasn’t easy especially when you’re all over the place singing like I am.”
“I’m pretty sure the owners rang and said if I win I have to sing for them, so I might have signed up for a bit more.”
With his Melbourne Cup-winning mount Knight’s Choice ruled out of a title defence due to a strangles outbreak, Dolan welcomed the prospect of another crack at the 3200m test.
“It’s funny how things work out. That little horse (Knight’s Choice) owes us nothing and his welfare is number one and he’ll be fighting fit going for it next year.”
Royal Supremacy is currently a $26 chance in futures markets for the Melbourne Cup.
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