The 8-year-old Royal Performer will now shoot for consecutive Group 1 victories at Ellerslie on Saturday when he steps out in the Bonecrusher New Zealand S. at Ellerslie, and while he faces a stiffer task, his connections are confident of another bold showing.
The well-travelled campaigner won too well for any excuses to be offered for the beaten brigade, but Bob Vance has been around the scene too long to take anything for granted.
“It is a little bit of a stronger field with Avantage in it. He’s very well though and enjoyed a week off after Te Rapa and he will be 100 per cent fit on Saturday,” said Vance, who co-trains and part-owns Royal Performer with wife Jenny.
Vance enjoyed a hugely successful career as a multiple Group 1-winning jockey, a Cox Plate success aboard The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou {USA}) one of numerous highlights, and Royal Performer handed him a first in a training role.
“It’s obviously a lot more involved as a trainer and a lot more satisfying, it’s a whole different scenario,” he said.
“It’s obviously a lot more involved as a trainer and a lot more satisfying, it’s a whole different scenario.” – Bob Vance
The well-travelled Royal Performer began his career in England as Turn Tide (GB) and won three of his first five starts from David Brown’s stable and finished fourth as a 2-year-old behind subsequent G1 2000 Guineas winner and sire Galileo Gold (GB).
He was subsequently purchased by clients of Caspar Fownes’ Hong Kong stable and while he was successful there, he failed to find the form he had promised.
“He didn’t do that well there and won a couple of races from 20-odd starts, but he was a better horse than that,” Vance said. “He looked very, very promising in England as a colt.
“After about a season and a-half of racing in Hong Kong they gelded him because he wasn’t showing what he was capable of, but I think it was probably a bit too late for that.
Royal Performer (GB) after winning the G1 Herbie Dyke S.
“He was owned by one of Caspar’s clients, a very wealthy man, and we have been friends with Caspar for many, many years so they sent the horse to us.
“He loves it in the paddock here and the track is so forgiving here at Ardmore Lodge so we haven’t had any problems with him. He’s just thrived.”
Royal Performer’s love of his new environment has been reflected on the track with four wins from seven New Zealand appearances and is likely to be turned out after the weekend.
“There’s nothing left at weight-for-age and obviously handicaps rule him out because he’s a little high in the ratings. This will probably be his last run this campaign and then he'll come back for the spring,” Vance said.
Dangerous duo
The Te Akau pair of Avantage (Fastnet Rock) and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) will be obvious threats with jockey Troy Harris to be reunited with the latter.
Harris has a successful association with Melody Belle, having ridden her three times for three wins, all at Group 1 level. The pair have teamed up to win the BCD Group Sprint, Windsor Park Plate and Livamol Classic.
“She’s a special horse and she’s been so good to me all the way through,” Harris said. “I’m stoked to be back on her again on Saturday.
“I ride her most mornings too, so I know her really well. She’s been feeling great since the Herbie Dyke last month and I think her work this week has been just as good as it was leading into her Livamol win in the spring. That gives us a little bit of confidence.”
