Andrew Adkins has built a rapport with Royal Celebration since the colt joined the Ron Quinton’s stable and he has no fears about his progression to Randwick.
Royal Celebration makes a step up to Saturday grade in the Energy Air late (1400m), where the two-year-old encounters Group One JJ Atkins joint favourite, The Autumn Sun.
“Going to this grade is always a step up but I think he’s got the ability to do so, I think he’s going the right way,” Adkins said.
“He gave me a nice feel when he arrived and I was always confident he’d show that ability on race day.”
Royal Celebration endured a tough initiation before finishing runner-up on debut at Hawkesbury despite being held up in the straight.
He then broke his maiden at Warwick Farm over 1200m, by a nose, on May 9.
“He only got really dominant in the last bit and that’s what you like to see in a horse going forward,” Adkins said.
“He’s still learning to settle but I think the 1400 (metres) is spot on for him and he could even go further down the track.”
Royal Celebration was a $11 chance with the TAB on Friday in a market spearheaded by the Chris Waller-trained Brisbane-bound The Autumn Sun ($1.95).
