'The Championships' was built and launched last season with the intention of creating the best race days within the 3 month Gauteng season. With an epic 4 days of racing planned, it has surpassed expectations this season with outstanding feature racing and a first ever world pool event to boot - Champions Day.

Without being in the best location in Johannesburg, the lack of crowd support in the south has always been an issue, however when it came to the horses, it never was an issue.

The World Pool Champions day was capped off with a superb victory by the Nathan Kotzen inmate, Royal Victory in the headliner of day 3 of 'The Championships', the Premiers Champions Challenge Gr1.

With Muzi Yeni onboard, the victory looked certain a long way out as he cruised up on the outside of horses following the July winner, Winchester Mansion. He took over late in the price and cruised past him in fine style. Written off in the Gr1 Summer Cup and partly at weight for age in this event, he again, told a story of the underdog.

With his passionate set of owners and being transported up from his home base in Durban, the star put on a promising but ultimately disappointing 3 year old career behind him to come of age as a 4 year old. The gelded son of Pathfork was favourite for the Gauteng Gauneas last year but went down a nose to Eye Of The Prophet and three lengths off Anfields Rocket in the SA Classic. His next win came in the Michaelmas Handicap at Greyville before the Summer Cup win.

He was upped in the ratings from a 111 to a 119 after the Summer Cup which makes this emphatic weight for age win stunning.

The victory came down to the July winner against the Summer Cup winner, it was the latter who prevailed. They are sure to meet again in KZN this winter season.

Only down half a length in the end, Winchester Mansion lost nothing in defeat. Aragosta was third with Dave The King in fourth.

Royal Victory

Sire: PATHFORK (USA)
Dam: KAILANI
Dam Sire: KAHAL (GB)
Breeder: Dr M Thomson, Ambiance Stud
Owner: Messrs P J Victor, B J Wiese & Natasha Sturdy

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