Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott added to their Magic Millions arsenal when Royal Tribute won the Gosford Guineas.
The Snitzel colt all but booked his spot in the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas with a fighting win in the 1200-metre Listed event.
Adam Hyeronimus endorsed Royal Tribute's chances as a Gold Coast prospect with Thursday's win his first start since a fourth placing behind King's Gambit in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes on October 7.
"That'll just knock the wind out of his sails a little bit, which will help him relax even more, which is very important heading to the Gold Coast on a very hot day," Hyeronimus said.
Waterhouse and Bott have the two favourites for the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Storm Boy and Straight Charge.
ROYAL TRIBUTE ๐กโช๏ธ stamps himself as the one to beat for the #MAGICMILLIONS Guineas with a tough performance in the Gosford Guineas. With a Stakes win on the board, the exciting son of Snitzel is one to keep your ๐๏ธ on.@gobloodstockaus @mmsnippets @lindsaycaminiti @kiaorastud https://t.co/ID4RjvGXHi
โ Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) December 28, 2023
Royal Tribute, who became Waterhouse's first Gosford Guineas winner since star middle-distance weight-for-age performer Desert War, displayed impressive fighting qualities.
As is custom with Waterhouse/Bott runners, the $2.50 favourite raced in a forward position but looked under pressure early in the straight and was headed by $3.80 second favourite Infatuation before rallying to score in a photo finish.
Flying Trapeze, a $16 chance, was just over a length away in third position.
"It probably wasn't until the other horse got the wood on us and put the sword to us and was challenging us that he picked up and fought hard and found the line like we know he can," Hyeronimus said.
Later, the Joe Pride-trained Reliable Man mare Lekvarte score a valuable win in the $300,000 Group 3 Belle Of The Turf (1600m).
The five-year-old, who started $2.90 favourite, was confident ridden by Tommy Berry and unleashed a powerful finish to score by 1-1/2 lengths from Zoe's Promise ($3.50), who lasted to hold second from Pioneer Lass ($51).
Joseph Pride takes yet another feature race at Gosford! ๐คฉ
โ Gosford Race Club (@gosford_races) December 28, 2023
Tommy Berry riding Lekvarte to a fantastic finish, securing the Belle of the Turf title for 2023.
Here's what both Joseph Pride's son Brave and Tommy Berry have to say post race. pic.twitter.com/ea89F6XKg8
It was the first Group success for Lekvarte, who finished sixth in last year's Belle Of The Turf and has now won seven of her 25 starts.
For Pride, Lakvarte's victory gave him a fourth Belle Of The Turf win.