DANBIRD'S DALTON GETS BLACK TYPE

Tremendous performance yesterday by Danbird’s exciting 2YO Royal Dalton, who flew home for third in the Anzac Day Stakes-LR over 1410m at Flemington.

Caught last turning for home, Royal Dalton powered his way through the ruck to grab the minor, just over a length off the winner.

Royal Dalton is clearly a horse on the improve: having won his maiden at Cranbourne on 5 April – Danbird’s first winner – Royal Dalton then ran a solid third over 1400m at Sandown before his Flemington assignment.

Royal Dalton is also Danbird’s first black type horse and it would not surprise to see the Robert Smerdon youngster capture a stakes race in his own right in the not too distant future.

Although Danbird won a Group Two over 1200m as an autumn 2YO he trained on for multiple stakes victories at four.

With progeny selling up to $250,000 and Royal Dalton appearing very comfortable on the top shelf, Danbird represents excellent value at a fee of only $5,500 inc. GST this spring.

“A lot of people saw that run at Flemington yesterday and many of them have approached me about Danbird since,” Eliza Park’s Mark Lindsay explained. “Let’s face it … for $5,500 you’re able to access a Group Two winning 2YO by Danehill and full brother to the ill-fated, but highly successful sire Catbird.

“I reckon Royal Dalton is just the tip of the iceberg.”

To see the race, click here