Royal Patronage ripe for the Hill Stakes

Gai Waterhouse is excited about testing Royal Patronage out to 1900 metres in this Saturday’s Hill Stakes at Rosehill.

The import will back up in the $2 million Group 2 after finishing third in last weekend’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap.

That 1600m event was the third run of Royal Patronage’s debut Australian campaign, and second in a row at 1600m, and was the type of performance that excited Waterhouse for the campaign ahead.

“If they can run well in an Epsom, they can run 2000 metres with their eyes shut,” Waterhouse said.

“The Epsom’s a very testing mile, you’re running in the top class and you’re running at top speed.”

Royal Patronage, who made a winning Australian debut in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) in September, won up to 1710m in the United States and has placed out to the 2063m of the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York.

The longest race he has contested is the Epsom Derby (2414m), in which he finished second last, beaten almost 40 lengths.

Waterhouse was proud of the six-year-old’s effort to finish third, beaten less than two lengths by Ceolwulf, in the Epsom Handicap.

“He was caught wide then he probably got a bit closer than we probably wanted him too early, but what do you do?” she said.

“You either stay six wide or you go forward and get a position behind the leader.

“I thought it was a terrific run.”

Royal Patronage will be one of two Hill Stakes runners for Waterhouse and her co-trainer Adrian Bott, who also have New Endeavour engaged.

Joining Royal Patronage and New Endeavour at Rosehill will be Anode, who is favourite for the $500,000 Listed Tapp-Craig (1400m).

The son of I Am Invincible disappointed when a 7-1/4-length eighth in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) at his most recent start but pushed The Everest fancy Traffic Warden in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) the start prior in a performance Waterhouse is hopeful he can reproduce.

“If you go back to his first-up run, it was outstanding, and I think he surprised everyone with how terribly competitive he was at top level,” Waterhouse said.

Tim Clark has been engaged to partner both Anode and Royal Patronage.