Royal Academy Quinellas Caulfield Juvenile
13th January 2008
Evergreen sire Royal Academy featured with the quinella in the open juvenile event at Caulfield on Saturday after the David Hayes trained colt Darpana (2c Rpyal Academy x Going Raja, by Well Decorated) proved too good for the favourite Hybrid.Ridden forward to lead from barrier one in contrast to his debut run when allowed to settle, the John Sadler trained Hybrid (2c Royal Academy x Lady Circles, by Ascot Knight) had no answer when Darpana laid down the challenge and kicked right away to win by three lengths.
Darpana has shown dramatic improvement at each of three starts going from an unplaced run at Cheltenham when making his debut on December 8 to a good second at Morphettville on December 22, prior to his win on Saturday.
Not paid up for the Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, Darpana is likely to target the $400,000 Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic in Adelaide next month.
Darpana was purchased for a modest $34,000 by part-owner Royce Ritchie from the draft of Mill Park Stud at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale in Adelaide.
Bred by Kerry O’Brien Thoroughbreds, Darpana is from the good producing Well Decorated mare Going Raja, the dam of Australian stakes-winners Dakasha and Obglo as well as US stakes-winner Dorky.
Darpana’s sire Royal Academy, now to be permanently based at Coolmore in Australia, has a large draft of 23 youngsters for 2008 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
