ROYAL Crusade has been patiently handled and he’s a horse that’s starting to come into his own, evident in his easy 1800m win in a MR86 Handicap at the Vaal on Saturday.

Royal Crusade.

When he won his Maiden over 1600m at Scottsville as a two-year-old back in May, Mike de Kock described Royal Crusade as a smart horse who needs to mature, and put him away to do that for six months.

He’s not quite there yet, but Royal Crusade has furnished well and there was a lot to like about the way he quickened away from the opposition after jockey JP van der Merwe had waited before he stepped on the accelerator pedal.

“Royal Crusade is a smart horse and he has a smart pedigree,” Mike confirmed.

A son of Silvano and Royal Fantasy, by Al Mufti, he was a R1,1-million purchase for Sheikh Hamdan at the 2016 National Yearling Sale. He was bred at Ascot Stud.