On a memorable day for the Waterhouse/Bott stable, the wraps were taken off the highly regarded Snitzel colt Royal Tribute in an 1100m maiden at Hawkesbury, and he let no one down.
With Adam Hyeronimus in the saddle, Royal Tribute bludgeoned his way to a two-and-a-quarter length win over the Capitalist debutant Battle Of Vienna with the Caravaggio (USA) 4-year-old Seton Hall a half-head back in third.
Royal Tribute was appearing for the first time in 12 weeks, having finished second to the unbeaten Zoustar colt Ozzmosis at Randwick.
That is the only time a horse has finished in front of Royal Tribute, who has won all four barrier trials.
Bred by Kia Ora Stud and a clone of his champion sire, Royal Tribute was a $500,000 purchase for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott/Kestrel Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Royal Tribute a $500,000 Magic Millions yearling
Sporting the yellow, white checked sash and checked sleeves of Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, Royal Tribute is raced by a syndicate that includes his breeder.
He is the first foal of the Elusive Quality (USA) mare Jennifer Lynnette, a Group III winner in Canada and a granddaughter of the outstanding Strategic Maneuver (USA), whose five wins from ten starts included the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes.
After two seasons without a foal, Jennifer Lynnette (CAN) produced a Farnan colt last spring.
