Boxing Day at Sandown may have promised a laid-back atmosphere, but John McArdle arrived dressed for business after receiving firm instructions ahead of Regal Zeus’ feature race assignment.

The five-year-old gelding was set to contest the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m), prompting McArdle to swap casual attire for a suit and tie.

“My wife said, ‘you’ve got a runner in a stakes race so put the suit on’,” McArdle said pre-race.

“I didn’t want to, but here we are.”

Regal Zeus ($6) ensured the effort wasn’t wasted, charging home to land the mile feature by ¾-length and adding another stakes victory to his growing résumé.

The win followed his success in the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m), with the gelding bouncing back after failing to fire over 1400m at Pakenham.

“Getting back to the mile with a race shape that suited him, and Jye (Mcneil) rode him perfectly,” McArdle added.

“He hadn’t ridden him before and the guy is a professional looking at his videos. We had a good discussion before the race as to how you have to ride him.

“When he gets a kick around the turn over a mile, he’s a hard one to beat.”

Regal Zeus edged out St Lawrence ($15), preventing trainer Gavin Bedggood from adding another feature to his Boxing Day haul, with Detonator Jack ($6) finishing third.

McNeil said the gelding’s early work set the tone.

“He began really well which was key,” McNeil said.

“He really settled into his rhythm nicely plus the key moment of getting going at the right time.”

Race favourite Craig ($4.60) finished well back after a tardy getaway, with jockey Craig Williams citing the slow start as decisive.

Future betting markets involving Regal Zeus are available through the Australian betting sites list.