Royal Academy Colt Impresses on debut

24th May 2008

Evergreen shuttle sire Royal Academy produced a colt tagged as a potential topliner at Randwick on Saturday in the shape of the Gai Waterhouse trained youngster Strategic Maneuver (2c Royal Academy x Crystal Gauntlet, by Marscay) .

Sent out a hot favourite on the strength of two brilliant barrier trial wins, Strategic Maneuever ran right up to that form in settling just off the pace and then accelerating in explosive style to win the 1100 metre open juvenile event by nearly three lengths.

“He’s the full compliment,” said a delighted Gai Waterhouse.

“The sort of horse you can travel wherever you want to in a race. A very serious colt.”

A home bred for Gooree Stud, Strategic Maneuver is a three-quarter brother-in-blood to the former very good juvenile Royal Courtship who was also trained for Gooree by Gai Waterhouse.

Strategic Maneuver is by the same sire in Royal Academy and his dam Crystal Gauntlet is a half-sister by Marscay to So Striking, the dam of Royal Courtship, whose best win came in the Group Two STC Todman Stakes.

Gooree Stud has a yearling full sister to Strategic Maneuver, the mare currently empty having not been covered last spring.