Tony McEvoy can’t explain it, but he’s certain his talented galloper Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) has a different strut after breaking his maiden at his ninth start at Bendigo.
Prior to the hollow win over 1300m, Rue De Royale was considered Australia’s best maiden galloper as in his previous eight starts, he had earned $650,000 and finished second three times in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, the $1 million Golden Gift and the $2m Inglis Millenium.
In the Bendigo race, John Allen took Rue De Royale straight to the front and he toyed with his rivals before going on to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths eased up.
“He’s taken a lot of confidence from that win. It’s hard to explain but if they win, they are up and about a bit more,” McEvoy said.
“It was so nice to see him dominate what will prove to be a very good maiden,” McEvoy said.
Rue De Royale will step up in class and distance again when he tackles the G2 Stutt Stakes at The Valley on Friday night.
“He’s trained on well. We’ve stepped up his work,” he said.
McEvoy pointed out that The Valley track won’t hold any fears for Rue De Royale.
“He finished fourth in The Banner at his first start. Earlier in the year we took him to The Valley for a gallop with Veight and he galloped as well as him,” he said.
McEvoy said he and his son Calvin will work out what to do with Rue De Royale after he starts on Friday night, with the Caulfield Guineas looming as a possibility, while a trip to New Zealand to contest the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 9 is also a possibility.
Next year the McEvoys are also considering starting him in the inaugural running of The Kiwi, NZ’s newest slot race which will be held on March 8 with prizemoney of more than NZ$3 million, as it’s restricted to three-year-olds who were bred there.
Allen will ride Rue De Royale in the Stutt Stakes, where he is an $11 chance.
