HERE’s a nice galloper in the making: Royal Crusade (headline photo).

Sheikh Hamdan’s two-year-old by hot property stallion Silvano from Royal Fantasy, by Al Mufti, stepped up from his third place on a 1400m debut at Turffontein to a decisive win over a mile at Scottsville, not the easiest task for a juvenile.

Royal Crusade enjoyed a good passage after the jump, settled handy and kicked clear at the business end, the basic plan-come-together for any strong favourite with decent form. He won by two lengths for Anthony Delpech.

“He’s very nice, a big and strong colt but still a bit soft so he has lots of improvement coming,” assessed Mike de Kock, sentiments echoed by Delpech who said: “When he hit the front he didn’t really know what to do. He looks real smart, he has a future.”

Royal Crusade was raised at Dr Ashley and Mrs Rose Parker’s Ascot Stud and sold for R1,1-million at the 2016 BSA National Yearling Sale.