Big earner Royale breaks maiden

[Wandering Eyes]

Victoria’s highest-earning maiden is winless no longer, as Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s Rue De Royale (NZ) (Per Incanto) posted an impressive all-the-way victory over 1300 metres at Bendigo on Sunday.

By Per Incanto, Rue De Royale cost $180,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale, and made a great start to his career, fourth on debut and second in the $1 million Inglis Golden Gift next time out.

After a spell, he returned with another lucrative runner-up cheque, this time in the $2 million Inglis Golden Gift, comfortably eclipsing his purchase price with the winnings.

But five starts later, including Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper runs, as well as another second in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce, he was still a maiden, last seen fifth first-up behind Daggers at The Valley.

By that point, he had amassed an incredible A$675,375 in prizemoney.

But there was no danger of the winless streak extending on Sunday, as John Allen took the colt straight to the front and never looked back.

The $2.80 favourite held a big margin at the 100m mark, and though Athanatos ($3.70) made good ground late into second, all honours were with the winner.

Calvin McEvoy was delighted to get the victory out of the way, and in front of a crowd of eager connections.

He felt Allen’s early initiative was the key, removing luck from the equation and giving Rue De Royale every chance to show his best.

“It was a beautiful watch, and there’s a big group of owners here today which is fantastic,” he said.

“He began so cleanly out the gates … he’s been a little slow in some starts and getting back by default really.

“I love that Johnny just took the bull by the horns and made a good thing of him early.

“I know it’s only a maiden, but he won it like a nice horse, and there’s a few in this race with big opinions on them.”

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