Andrew Harrison

Some horses are similar to wayward children. Just when you think that you have talked some sense into them and they have mended their ways, they give you the middle finger.

Royal Victory has no end of talent with two Gr1 wins to his name and Nathan Kotzen’s efforts to get him back on an even keel after a plethora of wayward antics appeared to have delivered the required results. However, Royal Victory reverted to old ways by refusing to jump in the Michael Roberts Handicap that headlined the 10 race card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville yesterday.

But take nothing away from the winner, Down By The River. Kom Naidoo would dearly love to move back to home base at Ashburton but he had Down By The River in good form and light-weight Cole Dicken, who is currently riding confidently, made no mistakes.

Capsaicin set off in the lead under Rachel Venniker but was a spent force early in the straight. Dicken avoided the ‘sheep’ crowding the inside rail and headed for home strait down the middle. Down By The River was clear a long way out and never challenged with Queue Wing running on best of all but still two lengths back.