Racing: A Royal performance needed

Auckland horseman Allan Peard can see no reason why Royal Pericles will not measure up to Australian 2-year-olds in this Saturday's Blue Diamond Stakes in Melbourne.

Royal Pericles yesterday drew barrier nine in a 14-horse field for the A$1 million ($1.11 million) event over 1200m at Caulfield.

Australian bookmakers do not rate the chances of Royal Pericles. Victoria's TAB Sportsbet rated the Stravinsky colt the equal outsider at a dividend of $51.

Peard, stable manager for Auckland trainer Bruce Wallace, said he did not underestimate the task facing Royal Pericles but remained confident of a bold showing.

"It's definitely going to be a test," Peard said yesterday. "But at the end of the day they are all 2-year-olds and I think he will be up to them."

Royal Pericles, at his last start, was second to Italia in New Zealand's richest race for 2-year-olds, the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique (1200m) at Te Rapa, Hamilton, on February 4.

Peard said that represented good form after the horse, who was to arrive in Melbourne last night, was caught wide from an outside barrier.

"On his last run, and as long as he travels all right, you would have to say he should match up to them," he said.

"Only bad luck beat him last time. Being three wide without cover and pulling his head off all the way, doesn't help."

Royal Pericles raced in blinkers at Te Rapa and they will remain on for Saturday's race. Peard said the blinkers may have contributed to the horse racing keenly at Te Rapa but there were other factors as well.

"He did race very keenly at Te Rapa. But because he had no cover it didn't really give him a chance to settle down.

"Also he hadn't race for five weeks, so he was a bit on the fresh side."

Royal Pericles has raced four times for two wins, a second and a third.

He won his first two starts. On debut he scored by 2 1/2 lengths over 900m at Te Aroha on December 14 and, at his second start, got home by 1 1/2 lengths over 1100m at Ellerslie on December 26.

His third start was in the group three $50,000 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on January 1 and although finishing third, his effort was an eye-catcher after coming from well back in the field.

Peard said Royal Pericles had trained in top fashion since his last-start second at Te Rapa.

"We couldn't be happier with the horse," he said. "His trackwork has been 110 per cent. Since Te Rapa he has stepped up another notch."

Peard was not unduly concerned about Saturday's draw of nine.

"It's better than 14. He should be able to get across and either sit outside the leader or get a little bit of cover.

"The good thing about him is he can race anywhere.

"He's led in one and he's come from last, and finished strongly [for third], in another."

Waikato jockey Gary Grylls, who had ridden Royal Pericles in each of his four starts, retains the mount for Saturday.

Latest betting for Saturday's Blue Diamond Stakes:

5.50 Wonderful World, Miss Finland;

6.50 Due Sasso, Satin Robes;

7.00 Nediym's Glow;

13.00 My Only Hope;

15.00 Personify, Snort;

17.00 Nadeem;

21.00 Gait;

26.00 Global Start;

34.00 Montfort;

51.00 Royal Pericles, Swinging Bachelor.

- NZPA