Rhythm Buzz outstays rivals to lift Royal Dad Trophy

RHYTHM BUZZ proved that his fourth-place finish in July’s Jamaica St Leger was no fluke, returning off a three-month break from the classics to outstay STRIKE SMART and ESSENTIAL QUALITY in yesterday’s Royal Dad Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Backed as the even-money second favourite to United States-bred DIVINE FORCE at 1-2, RHYTHM BUZZ raced off the pace in fourth down the backstretch, taken in hand by Raddesh Roman after blasting from the gate and disputing the lead with STRIKE SMART to the clubhouse turn.

Hunting a second straight win after wiring rivals in the Winston Griffiths Classic at nine and a half furlongs on September 2, ESSENTIAL QUALITY recovered from a slow start to join STRIKE SMART and RHYTHM BUZZ entering the backstretch in an attempt to steal a march on rivals.

DIVINE FORCE, who was also slowly away from the gate, recovered to join the fray five and a half furlongs out, relegating RHYTHM BUZZ to third and looking dangerous with a threatening move leaving the half-mile marker in chase of ESSENTIAL QUALITY and STRIKE SMART.

However, it was RHYTHM BUZZ who found a second gear, going past DIVINE FORCE three furlongs out, taking aim at ESSENTIAL QUALITY and persistent STRIKE FORCE along the rail.

Straightening three wide, RHYTHM BUZZ proved strongest off the turn, collaring ESSENTIAL QUALITY midway the stretch run, staying on strongly under Roman’s urgings to pull away by five and a quarter lengths, clocking 1:58.1.

STRIKE SMART rallied to outfinish a tiring ESSENTIAL QUALITY for second while DIVINE FORCE, whose run had flattened entering the straight, stayed on for a well-beaten fourth behind the local-breds.

RHYTHM BUZZ handed Roman back-to-back winners on the eight-race card, having earlier booted home Richard Azan’s THE BEES KNEES to victory at six and a half furlongs in a three-year-old maiden event for fillies.

Joy-Us Racing’s FREEDOM STREET sprung a mild upset at odds of 5-1 in the nightpan for overnight-allowance runners at five and a half furlongs, closing along the rail in mid-stretch after stablemate CATABA ensured that speedy A GIFT FROM BEN and LUKSOL were kept honest from the start.

Down-in-class DUKE, the 3-5 favourite, was run off his legs down the backstretch, leaving his charge too late to reel in FREEDOM STREET, who won clear in 1:06.2 on a fast track.

Racing continues with a three-meet – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – Heroes Weekend holiday carnival.