Racing: Weight tells as Slick beaten

Sir Slick was reeled in on the home stretch. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Royal Era robbed "Iron Horse" Sir Slick of a listed race victory and the opportunity to break the $2 million stake money barrier in the $45,000 Rotorua Plate yesterday.

Royal Era was produced in faultless physical condition by Foxton-based trainer Richard French and the 5-year-old daughter of Zabeel reeled in Sir Slick in the home stretch.

Elblitzem battled solidly along the inner to finish third.

Royal Era had a massive pull in the weights - 52kg as opposed to the 59kg on Sir Slick - and this told in the final 50m.

French is now looking to the New Zealand Cup.

"She had problems with a stone bruise which stopped us getting her to the races any earlier this preparation," said French.

"We also had her entered in a race at Wanganui today but took the punt to bring her up to Rotorua and it's great picking up a listed race victory. She's the baby of this field as she's only had 12 starts but she's going to get better with more racing and a step up in distance."

* Jason Collett did not have to cover any extra ground to get the top weight and favourite Roi d'jeu home easily to win the Daily Post Rating 80 2200.

Collett patiently wove an easy path one position off the rail through the field to be outside the leader at the top of the home straight.

Despite carrying 58kg Roi d'jeu powered into his work and won easing down over Argon and Caratacus (third).

Successful trainer Shaune Ritchieis focused on a hit and run raid on the New Zealand Cup meeting.

"He's won four from four when we've stepped him up to a staying distance and we're looking at taking him to Christchurch for the New Zealand Cup. He's ideal to take to Christchurch for a race like that as he'll stay all day"

* Sam Spratt gave punters a timely reminder of her ability as a front running jockey when teaming with Hammer Down.

Spratt is a ruthless front running jockey when allowed to control the speed of a race - punching the speedy Hammer Down straight to the lead - and easing the tempo of the race.

The hot favourite Rockburn started slowly and had to burn plenty of early petrol to recover and race outside the leader.

Spratt and Hammer Down were lonely at the finish, easing down, to defeat Rockburn and Safe Access (third).

Ardmore trainer Stephen McKee holds a 2000 Guineas nomination for the son of O'Reilly who two wins and a third placing from three starts.

* The Lisa Latta winning road show continued at Wanganui yesterday when debut runner Brackenwood posted an impressive victory in the 2-year-old event.

The colt son of Perfectly Ready sat outside the pace-setting Venetian Raider throughout the 800m event and lengthened stride impressively to win by a half-length.

A further 1 lengths back third was the hot favourite Smoke 'N' Mirrors who was slow away and settled in fourth position but had no chance catching the first two in a sprint for home.