Imported gelding Royal Supremacy announces himself a Spring Carnival contender with breakthrough Randwick win
The Ciaron Maher -trained import showed a glimpse of his undoubted talent to score a breakthrough victory in the Eremein Benchmark 88 Handicap (1800m).
Royal Supremacy was purchased by Melbourne Cup winning syndicators Australian Bloodstock last year with multiple stakes placings to his name in Europe, including a placing in the Group 3 King Edward VII Stakes (2414m) at Royal Ascot.
Australian Bloodstock had intentions to aim the son of Make Believe at the Caulfield Cup.
The Irish-bred galloper never made it to the races during the last spring carnival but now looks ready to make a dash for higher honours next season.
'He is very talented,' Maher's assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord said.
'He was well bought by Australian Bloodstock but like a lot of Europeans, they can have their little quirks.
'You just need to work them out.
'First-up he was very good and unlucky but looked like there was a lot there and last start, he was just laying in a bit and did a few things wrong.
'We changed a few things and the way we trained him, sending him to the beach up at Bob's Farm for something different and it obviously did the trick.'
Royal Supremacy was caught in traffic first-up in the Listed Scone Cup and didn't beat a runner home before failing to fire last start over the Randwick mile.
He looked a different horse third-up from a spell after enjoying an energy conserving run on the fence.
Apprentice Braith Nock took the right runs when they opened from the top of the straight as Royal Supremacy ($19) outlasted Chris Waller 's Canberra Legend ($15) by a half-length.
The Kris Lees -trained Zaphod ($3.60 favourite) was four lengths away in third.
Today's the day for Royal Supremacy! ðŸ'¥ @NockBraith provides a quality ride to get the @cmaherracing trained gelding first over the line! ðŸ'Œ pic.twitter.com/oJj3Pdpq7r
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 12, 2025
• Pride finds the Secret to latest rising star
'When the horse went around and put a bit of speed into it, it was really good. He's put his best foot forward today,' Nock said.
Johann-Dubord paid Nock the ultimate compliment following the win.
'I think the ride today was just perfection,' he said.
'We were here to build a bit of confidence for the horse and from the gate, he ended up in a good spot and did no work.
'He just came between them and building slowly, it gave him that confidence and he went on with it.
'He will keep improving and should stay a lot further than that.'
Bookies reacted by shortening Royal Supremacy from $26 into $15 for the Group 1 The Metropolitan while he remains $26 for the Caulfield Cup.
What path Maher's team take through the spring remains to be scene by the stable are adamant he can be a carnival contender.
'He is a spring horse,' Gerard-Dubord said.
'Now he is up and going we will space his runs because he is obviously good fresh.
'There are some nice options in four or five weeks like the Premier's Cup Prelude and Wyong Cup, and if you keep spacing them you get into the spring.
'You get up his rating and a bit of confidence and there are races like The Metropolitan if he's not up to better.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
AFL news Collingwood veteran Jeremy Howe knocked out in horror clash with Hawthorn's Jai Newcombe at the MCG
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jeremy Howe was taken to hospital after a horror head clash in the early stages of Hawthorn's 64-belt thrashing of Collingwood on Thursday night. After a relatively even first quarter, the Hawks put the foot down in the second, kicking seven goals to one for the term to break open a 39-point lead at the long break. It was more of the same after halftime as the Hawks recorded an important 17.8 (110) to 6.10 (46) win, but a shocking incident just over one minute into the first quarter stunned the MCG. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Mitch Lewis took a mark and kicked the ball into space coming out of Hawthorn's defence, leading to a chase between Howe and Newcombe. The two players arrived at about the same time and made a huge impact, with returning Pies star Howe seemingly knocked out instantly and left flat on his back as Newcombe collapsed on all fours. 'Lewis puts it into a turnover situation and Newcombe and Howe collide in front of the benches,' Mark Howard said on Fox Footy. Watch the incident in the video player above Jai Newcombe (left) and Jeremy Howe collided heavily early in the match. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'They're both down, Howe looks worst of all, Newcombe holding his head. Big clash.' David King said immediately: 'They've got to stop the game. They've got to stop the game. He's out.' Jack Riewoldt added: 'Oh, Jeremy Howe has not moved.' Howe, 35, was making his return to the Collingwood side following three weeks out with a groin injury. 'Back into the side for the first time since round 18, such an important player,' Howard said. 'It was a ball positioned directly between the two of them. Howe was out cold while Newcombe was also rocked by the impact. (Photo by) Newcombe then checked on the Collingwood veteran. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) 'Newcombe cannoned into Howe coming in the opposite direction and it was an enormous clash between the two.' The game was stopped for more than five minutes as Collingwood's medical staff attended to Howe before he was placed on a stretcher. The veteran put his hands to his face and was then seen moving his fingers as a medicab took him from the ground to applause from the big crowd. 'Yeah it's a car crash,' King said during a replay of the incident. 'Credit to both players, Howe bodylined the ball and Newcombe put himself in harm's way. 'Incredibly brave but he just had a head clash there. It's sickening to watch. Teammates check on Howe as he leaves the ground. (Photo by) Nick Watson kicked two first-half goals for the Hawks. Picture: Michael Klein 'This is what these guys subject themselves to at the highest level. A clash at that speed.' King was then thinking of those watching on when he added: 'Just remember, these guys, they get the very best of care. 'Unbelievable medical expertise out there and it's tough to watch for family and friends at home, but this is what these guys do.' Howe was immediately subbed out of the game, while Newcombe was also assessed by the Hawthorn medical staff before returning to the match midway through the first term. A Pies fan watching on tweeted what many were thinking: 'Oh my, Jeremy Howe you've just come back! I hope you are OK!' The shocking moment may have rocked the Pies, who were unable to find any sort of form over the first half. Leigh Montagna was damning in his assessment of Collingwood at the long break. 'They've dominated every facet Hawthorn, but Collingwood look really ordinary,' he said on Fox Footy. 'They look clunky with their ball movement, they're being outworked, they look disorganised, they look vulnerable. 'They've been exposed and Craig McRae's got some serious thinking to do.' The Pies were unable to stem the tide as questions grow over their premiership hopes, while the Hawks have solidified their shot at September. Originally published as 'It's a car crash': Horror collision between Jeremy Howe and Jai Newcombe stuns the MCG
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Storm's minor premiership dream grows as Broncos' horror night could ruin season
The Melbourne Storm have moved to first on the NRL ladder after a dominant 22-2 win over the Broncos, who suffered a major triple injury blow. Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam both suffered hamstring injuries while attempting to chase down Xavier Coates in the 21st minute and will be sent for scans on Friday. Star winger Selwyn Cobbo was then assisted from the field in the final three minutes of the game with a reported hamstring injury too. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > It came after a thrilling contest between the two heavyweight sides that really heated up when Coates intercepted a Broncos pass and ran 95 metres only to be taken over by the sideline by Cobbo with arguably the tackle of the season. While that was happening there were major dramas unfolding back up the field. Reynolds limped off before Mam followed seconds later with both later ruled out for the remainder of the game. The double injury blow forced the Broncos into a major reshuffle with Kotoni Staggs and Ben Hunt moving into the halves, Billy Walters to hooker and Jack Gosiewski to centre. With the Broncos reeling from the chaos the Storm struck with back-to-back tries to go into halftime with a 10-point lead. The Storm picked up where they left off in the second half with Coates scoring back-to-back tries to seal the result. To the Broncos' credit they hung in there and showed plenty of courage to stay in the game but they now face a nervous wait on the scan results for Reynolds, Mam and Cobbo. BRONCOS ROCKED BY INJURIES The Broncos' premiership hopes are hanging by a thread after a pair of hammer injury blows in the first half of their loss against the Storm. After an attack that included multiple offloads, Xavier Coates intercepted a pass and came desperately close to scoring, with Selwyn Cobbo delivering a try-saving tackle. However, during his chase, Reynolds pulled up lame and stopped in his tracks, hobbling off the field with a hamstring injury. Then, his halves partner, Ezra Mam followed in a worst-case scenario for Michael Maguire. Luckily for the Broncos, the versatile Ben Hunt and Billy Walters were able to slot into the halves, but they didn't do enough to inspire their side to victory. Fox League's Michael Ennis was in shock at halftime saying he'd 'never seen it before', before declaring: 'in a matter of seconds the Broncos' season has nosedived.' To make matters worse, Selwyn Cobbo was assisted from the field in the final three minutes with a reported hamstring injury too. STORM MOVE TO FIRST ON NRL LADDER The Melbourne Storm have taken a big step towards securing their seventh minor premiership after their win over the Broncos took them to first on the ladder. They will have to continue this form over the final month of the season though to get the job done- but that won't be an easy feat when you have a look at their run home. Next week they face the Panthers, who are running hot on an eight-game winning streak, before facing the Bulldogs and Roosters. They then finish the regular season off by meeting the Broncos again in the final round. If they can secure the minor premiership it would be a seriously impressive feat given they lost their star halfback and reigning Dally M medallist Jahrome Hughes to a shoulder injury. GRANT STARS IN MILESTONE MATCH Harry Grant celebrated his 100th NRL game with a stellar performance in the Storm's statement win over the Broncos. It was clear from the get go that Grant was in a mood with the milestone man taking every chance he had to run. In fact, at the 15-minute mark he had already racked up 45 metres – the most of any Storm player and only second to Broncos powerhouse Payne Haas. 'What a threat Harry Grant has been, in the opening 10 minutes of this game their attack has revolved around what happens at dummy-half,' Fox League's Greg Alexander said. 'He has great deception, he looks one way and runs the other. He's just got them under the pump all the time. 'Is there a more influential No.9 in the game? He has been a threat every time he's had the ball.' Meanwhile, Michael Ennis — a premiership-winning hooker — added: 'Harry Grant has been brilliant, he has been superb out of dummy-half.' Grant finished with a try assist, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists, three tackle busts, 75 running metres and 21 tackles — three misses.
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Trainer Joseph Pride excited to get the best out of Godolphin galloper Kerguelen
Joe Pride has only put the polish on Kerguelen for a matter of days but is trusting the form stacking up around his new arrival as he looks to train his first Godolphin winner at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Kerguelen will be Pride's first starter for Godolphin after the 'Blue Army' moved to a public training model from this season. Godolphin's new era got off to a flyer last weekend with Amusing delivering the racing powerhouse its first winner with champion trainer Chris Waller. Kerguelen gets his chance to make a similarly emphatic first impression for his new yard in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m) with star jockey Nash Rawiller aboard. 'He is a lovely big horse,' Pride said. 'He gets onto a wet track and we know that will be no problem for him. 'I think he is coming through what now looks to be a pretty good form race with King Of Roseau going down and winning at Flemington the other day in the Aurie's Star. 'You could mount an argument he could have gone close to beating him. He looks like a nice horse.' Kerguelen did his best work late last start to finish runner-up to King Of Roseau at Rosehill Gardens on July 19 in his final start for James Cummings. Bookies rate Kerguelen as a $3.30 favourite to kick off with a win for his new stable. Two of Pride's new three-year-olds from Godolphin will trial on Friday at Warwick Farm, including Kirkham Plate winner Comedy. The 2023 Golden Eagle placegetter Golden Mile is also on the list of horses inherited by the Warwick Farm conditioner. 'I've got 21 of them on my books now so it's a decent size team there and some very nice three-year-olds there,' Pride said. Private Eye lines-up on Friday morning with the two-time The Everest placegetter also down to trial at Warwick Farm twenty four hours before the race.
