Royal Patronage has shown he will be a serious contender this autumn with a gutsy first-up victory in the Group One Canterbury Stakes at Randwick.

In his second campaign with Tulloch Lodge, the well-travelled entire followed the leader, Here To Shock ($8.50), before pulling clear and outlasting his rival to win by a neck at odds of $20. Magic Time ($4.40 fav) ran an unlucky race, held up at the top of the straight but closing strongly for third, just three-quarters of a length behind the winner.

Trainer Adrian Bott had doubts about the 1300m distance, thinking it might be too short for Royal Patronage after his impressive debut in Australia over 1400m. However, the six-year-old proved his class with a win that bodes well for his upcoming campaign.

“He’s an incredible horse,” Bott said. “We’ve always had the Doncaster circled for him, and we felt this would be a good starting point.”

Royal Patronage had placed in several top races last spring but finished poorly in the Cox Plate when Bott thought his campaign had ended.

Jockey Tim Clark, who rode the winner, was confident throughout the race, saying, “He did fill me with confidence, and I knew when it got tough, he’d be there for me.”

Ceolwulf, who dropped in distance after missing the Verry Elleegant Stakes last week due to a minor injury, finished a strong fifth, and jockey Adam Hyeronimus was pleased with his effort.

“Ready to rock and roll back to the appropriate distances,” Hyeronimus said.