ROYAL Crusade, on offer at 50-1 for the Durban July, won a Graduation Plate in style at Turffontein on Saturday in his first run after gelding and Mike de Kock is hoping that the son of Silvano will squeak into the final line-up.

On Saturday the now three-time winning 3yo ran to a 103 when winning a modest Graduation Plate and he has good feature places to Majestic Mambo, Monk’s Hood and Surcharge to his credit.

“The Gauteng 3yo’s have proven themselves the strongest in the country this season. Royal Crusade ran on top of the best of them at level weights when he was not at his best.  

“He had a twisted testicle removed, that was holding him back. They will have to look at him, he warrants consideration, he’s a better horse now. If he gets into the July he will be receiving a few kgs from Majestic Mambo, who is second favourite for the July.

“Had his other counterpart Surcharge have been in the race, he would probably be second favourite, which shows the strength of the form and underlines merits for Royal Crusade,” said Mike of Sheikh Hamdan’s galloper.