Trainer Neil Dyer is thrilled with the condition of Royal Request leading into this afternoon’s 2016 Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay Racecourse.
Neil Dyer has twice tasted Darwin Cup success with Hawks Bay (pictured). Photo: Taron Clarke
Royal Request is a proven performer at the Fannie Bay circuit having travelled to Darwin several times through a busy thirty-six start career, and carries winning form into this afternoon’s feature after taking out the Buntine Handicap (1900m) last time out on July 16th.
Dyer told Racing Ahead that the horse has only taken improvement from his comfortable last-start win, and is confident he can go one better than his run for second in the 2015 edition of the Darwin Cup.
“I’m very happy with him, I can’t fault him,” Dyer said.
“He won the Buntine last start, beat Saturday Sorcerer and there was probably a little bit of improvement in him after that run.”
The Kyneton-based trainer is thrilled to have secured the services of jockey Tommy Berry to ride Royal Request in the Darwin Cup 2016 and believes the horse will receive a dream run in transit from the rails draw.
“Tommy Berry today, barrier 1. I reckon he’s going to get a real good run for a long, long way,” he said.
“Hopefully when we ask him to hit top gear he’ll be finishing off, he usually does up here.”
Royal Request has posted an impressive seven wins and five minors through his competitive career, since debuting during the winter of 2013.
Arguably finding career-best form to date through his impressive and consistent 2015 campaign, the Bel Esprit gelding arrived in Darwin for consecutive fourth place finishes in each of the Bernborough Club Cup (1000m) and Roant Gold Cup (1300m) and won each of the Coates Hire Special Conditions Handicap (1600m) and Buntine Handicap leading into his Darwin Cup second.
Returning to racing this time for sixth in the Bernborough Club Cup, Royal Request placed fifth in the Roant Gold Cup and a luckless ninth in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) leading into his Buntine Handicap triumph.
Royal Request is currently available at 2016 Darwin Cup odds of $6.50 with Ladbrokes Australia.
