You could be forgiven for not thinking this was a stakes race in Melbourne with the Lloyd Williams colours finishing ahead of Yulong and Shadwell, but no it was Down Royal in the UK where talented stayer Master of Reality (IRE) booked his ticket back to Melbourne for another tilt at The Cup.
Second beaten a head in last year’s race to Vow and Declare and then demoted to fourth following a protest, the Joseph O’Brien trained Frankel gelding showed he was back to his best when winning the Listed Her Majesty’s Plate (1m6f) by three and a half lengths.
“Master of Reality got a lovely confidence booster there. He had a good run at the Curragh last time and I would think he'll go into quarantine now and head for Melbourne,” said Brendan Powell, assistant trainer.
Master of Reality was bought for 200,000 euros as a yearling at Arqana and started his career in France with Pascal Barry before being purchased as a Melbourne Cup prospect by the Lloyd Williams team and sent to Joseph O’Brien in 2018.
His form this year has been consistent in Group staying races with this win indicating his readiness for another try at the Melbourne Cup.
With four wins and five placings from 17 starts, Master of Reality is a three-quarter brother to stakes-winner Chamonix and is the best of seven winners from stakes-winning Darshaan mare L;Ancresse, a full sister to Group I winner Cerulean Sky.
