Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Written by Paul Vettise
Celestial Fury (NZ) (Savabeel) will be given an early opportunity to star at black-type level following the well-related colt’s stylish winning debut at Flemington.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained youngster was unwanted by the betting market, but defied his 25-1 starting price to drive between runners and claim Saturday’s Rod Johnson H.
Celestial Fury showed enough in his debut performance to confirm a return to headquarters in a fortnight’s time for the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final, formerly known as the Gibson Carmichael S., over 1600 metres.
“We thought the horse would run really well and he had pleased us with his jump-out. He will only improve off this run as well,” stable representative, Brendon Hawtin, said. “Celestial Fury will only get better with time and it’s a great way to start his racing career.”
“Celestial Fury will only get better with time and it’s a great way to start his racing career.” - Brendon Hawtin
Celestial Fury settled midfield and one off the fence for rider Craig Newitt and the colt showed no hesitation to come between runners in the closing 200 metres to account for the last-start winners Secret Glamour (Sebring) and Somewatt Fabulous (Astern).
The winner was bred by Valachi Downs' Principal Kevin Hickman and was purchased out of Riverrock Farm’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale at Karaka by Busuttin and Young for NZ$120,000.
He is a son of the Galileo (Ire) mare Sister Celeste, who is also the dam of the 2-year-old winner Kelly Renee (NZ) (Vespa {NZ}) and she was placed in the G1 Diamond S. and the G2 Matamata Breeders’ S.
Further back in the pedigree are the multiple Group 1 winners and sires The Gurkha (Ire) and Green Dancer (USA) and, interestingly, the stakes winner Savile Row (NZ), who now stands at Valachi Downs.
Royalzel likes it wet
At Rosehill, Gary Portelli’s Royalzel (Snitzel) confirmed his liking for the Heavy going when he came from last for a hollow victory in the E Group Security H.
The Arrowfield Stud graduate dropped back to last from the outside gate and mowed his rivals down in the straight to score by a widening 1.16l from the favourite and another son of Snitzel in Deficit.
“James said he was going to ride him quietly and, given that opportunity, he’s got a good turn of foot and he loves the wet,” Portelli said.
His confidence had been further boosted during the week when Royalzel revelled on the rain-affected ground in his lead-up work.
“He ticked the right boxes and on Tuesday morning he worked over 1200 metres at Warwick Farm on the course proper and his rider said he swam through it,” Portelli said.
“He’s a horse that can switch off and settle and James waited until he got on the right leg in the straight and then he really opened up.”
Royalzel is the first foal of the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic winner Royal Tithe (Show A Heart), who last spring foaled a colt to The Autumn Sun, and she is out of a half-sister to the Listed Great Northern Foal S. winner Royal Babe (Rory’s Jester).
