3 minute read

A clever move to drop blinkers coupled with a reduction in trip paid handsome dividends for Royal Pavilion on Friday night - even if only the brave would have still believed in his chances when the chips were down.

Slipping under the radar from the start of the $50,000 Class 4 Division 2 race over 1000m, the Casino Prince four-year-old still spotted Justice Light (Benny Woodworth) about four lengths upon straightening up, but with a persevering Amirul Ismadi getting stuck into him, the $61 outsider suddenly sprouted wings after darting through a gap between I've Got It All (John Sundradas) and Kratos (Juan Paul van der Merwe) at the 250m.

The Tivic Stable-owned galloper sizzled through to go and post a soft win in the end, with half-a-length to spare from Justice Light with First Choice (Mark Ewe) third another 1 ¼ lengths away. The winning time was 59.64secs for the Polytrack speed dash over 1000m. 

Winning trainer Michael Clements was wearing the smile of someone who had learned a great deal from that first run of an unknown quantity, applying these lessons to good use at his next start.

At his 10th and last start for trainer Shane Baertschiger, Royal Pavilion  broke his maiden status when blinkered in a Class 5 race over 1200m before shortly afterwards joining the Tivic team mass exodus headed by star stablemate Bold Thruster to Clements back in May.

At his first start under the new management, Royal Pavilion, again fitted with blinkers, raced handy before blowing out in a Class 5 race over 1400m.

After observing his new charge pull like a train with the shades, Clements decided to lose them at the next start, while he thought a sharper distance might help him cool his jets at the same time.

At the 300m, the theory looked like it's been shot down in flames, but barely a few strides later once the parting seas ignited Royal Pavilion, it was happy days for the Clements-Tivic Stable team who was sealing their new association with their first winner.

"The pace was dynamite tonight whereas he did too much too early at his last start," Clements summed up the run perfectly.

"The speed was really on and he just flew home. The light weight (49kgs) also helped.

"We've gone back to basics with him. After he had a break, we followed on with the blinkers he had at his last win and ran him over 1400m, but it didn't work out.

"We got him back in trip tonight and dropped the blinkers, and he duly obliged."

Amirul said the way they went like last month's pay upfront played into his hands.

"The pace was very fast and that suited him," said the Malaysian apprentice jockey.

"I know they were far in front, but once he saw daylight, he just quickened so well."

With that second win, Royal Pavilion has now banked in around $55,000 in stakes earnings for the Tivic Stable.