KEY POINTS:
New Zealand-bred galloper Royal Star is being hailed as the next star in Singapore after his win in the group two second leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge at Kranji over the weekend.
Royal Star, by Danske out of Beechcraft mare Ramila, runs from the stable of former Woodville trainer Bruce Marsh and just beat Limb's Objective in an exciting head-bobbing finish in the S$350,000 ($295,000) race.
Royal Star was only fifth in the first leg of the challenge, but was obviously suited by the extra 200m in the 1400m second leg.
Otaki-based bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo purchased Royal Star for an undisclosed six-figure sum from Taranaki trainer Gavin Sharrock last year. He raced in New Zealand as The Overtaker and won his debut at Hawera by nearly five lengths.
He now races for Singapore's leading owners, Dragon Stable, and has notched up three wins and five minor placings from his 11 starts and earned more than S$350,000.
Royal Star will contest the final leg of the Three-Year-Old Challenge over 1600m at the end of this month.
- NZPA
