Royal Cruiser. Photo by Club Menangle
It is unusual for a track record to be posted in a conditioning trial, especially when a former Grand Circuit champion set the record.
But that scenario unfolded at Bathurst on Monday night when the Bernie Hewitt-trained Royal Cruiser equalled Expensive Ego’s 1730 metre record in the trial, clocking a sizzling 1.58.9 which converted to a 1:50.6 mile rating.
Expensive Ego recorded the same time under race conditions in a heat of the 2021 Inter Dominion.
The Luke McCarthy-trained and reined pacer subsequently went on to be first past the post in that Inter Dominion Grand Final only to lose the race on protest in sensational circumstances.
The trial was Royal Cruiser’s last hit out before he tackles the New South Wales Breeders Challenge Semi Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night where he has drawn the widest gate in a seven-horse field.
Last year as a three-year-old Royal Cruiser finished sixth in the Breeders Challenge Final, just over 10 metres in arrears of the winner Air Express, but Hewitt believes that his gelding is currently racing in the best form if his career and has freshened up well since winning the ‘Stockade’ on the September 6 TAB Eureka night.
“He had a really good let up and has returned in the right zone,” said Hewitt.
“Going into the trial on Monday night I had designs on giving all three horses a good hit out before Saturday, I never planned to go that fast, but he just done it so comfortably.
“We needed to give him a short let up given his busy season, and he has come back really well.
“I felt that he was a tad unlucky not to have picked up a slot for the Eureka, but we were excited to win the Stockade and I think that he is a real live chance in this series.
“Obviously drawing wide tomorrow night is not ideal, but if he can bring his best and make the final, we can only hope for a better draw then.
“In any case I am sure he will be very competitive.”
All of Hewitt’s stable stars are engaged Saturday night with Ripp (race 2), Jungle Dragon (race 6), Sweet On Lexy (race 7) and Our Goat (race 8) joining Royal Cruiser on the trip to Menangle.